Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro gets favorable response on proposed new nuclear reactors

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has found that there are no environmental impacts that would prevent Southern Nuclear Operating Co., a part of Southern Company, from getting an early site permit to construct two new nuclear reactors in eastern Georgia.

It's a preliminary, but important, step in the lengthy approval process for Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro.

Environmental and safety evaluations of the proposed construction site are conducted throughout the early site permit process.

Southern Nuclear must also get a construction and operating license to build.

That decision likely won't happen until 2009.

Environmental groups, meanwhile, argue the new reactors would use too much water from the Savannah River, something that Southern Nuclear denies.

The groups also fear a nuclear accident.

Southern Nuclear has said it has not committed to building the reactors, even though it's pursuing the permit and license.

The reactors would generate electricity for Georgia Power customers.