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.

About the Author

Kristi E Swartz

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

1h ago

Goal in sight for Atlanta as World Cup presents ‘generational opportunity’

World Cup preparation was the central focus of the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s annual meeting Thursday morning at the College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta.

Atlanta area home prices fell in October with steep declines in some places

Metro Atlanta's median sales prices dropped in October as more inventory is on the market.

The Latest

Credit: SPECIAL

Why your car’s safety tech needs maintenance, too

OPINION

Saying goodbye to the Porsche 718 Cayman — for now

OPINION

2026 Nissan Leaf: Simple to live with and priced right

Featured

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

UGA to pay $100K H-1B visa fee only ‘in exceptional circumstances’

The University of Georgia could soon limit the number of foreign workers it employs, a result of the $100,000 fee imposed on some H-1B visas.

Georgia judges deal blow to ICE’s new mandatory detention policy

The ruling is a first-of-its-kind to come out of Georgia’s Middle District.

At the Cobb jail, a new kind of rehabilitation starts at the horse barn

Joshua Arp is one of two Cobb County jail detainees taking part of the sheriff’s office new equine therapy program meant to help him stay out of jail.