NRC says Vogtle nuclear reactor safe

The reactor design for Georgia Power's planned nuclear expansion project is safe and meets regulatory requirements, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's technical staff said Tuesday.

The safety report moves Georgia Power one step closer to getting a key license to start heavy construction on the two reactors, scheduled to start producing power in 2016 and 2017.

In its final safety report on Westinghouse's AP 1000 reactor, the NRC "concluded that there are no safety aspects that would preclude issuing" that license.

The NRC said in an Aug. 2 letter that Georgia Power could receive that license by the end of the year.

Georgia Power is responsible for $6.1 billion of an estimated $14 billion nuclear project at Plant Vogtle. Its sister company, Southern Nuclear, owned by Atlanta-based Southern Co., will operate the units.

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Kristi E Swartz

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