Q: It is true that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has not approved any nuclear generating plants since the Three Mile Island incident? How is Southern Co. going ahead with building two new reactors without NRC approval? If so, how can the Georgia Legislature pass legislation for rate increases based on speculation that they will get approval?
Stan Davies, Taylorsville
A: None have been approved since Three Mile Island, according to CBS News, although the report noted that the NRC is reviewing 20 reactor applications, with four nearing approval. According to the NRC, the U.S. has 104 licensed-to-operate nuclear power plants, which generate about 20 percent of electrical use in the country. Georgia Power spokeswoman Christy Ihrig told Q&A on the News that there are layers to the process for citing, licensing, constructing and obtaining commercial operation status for a nuclear power plant, and here is what has happened to date:
- Georgia Power filed an application for certification of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 with the Georgia Public Service Commission on Aug. 1, 2008. The PSC regulates Georgia Power.
- The PSC approved the need and cost effectiveness, granting approval in March 2009 to implement the proposed Vogtle expansion.
- The NRC issued an early site permit and limited work authorization in August 2009.
- The combined construction and operation license from the NRC is scheduled for late 2011/early 2012.
Ihrig added that recovering financing costs during construction will cut $300 million during construction and reduce the in-service cost of the plant by $2 billion.
A map at www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/col/new-reactor-map.html includes the locations of the proposed nuclear power plants, allowing people to view their status.
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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