Federal Funds for Nuclear Expansion at Plant Vogtle?

The Energy Department has narrowed its list of the most likely recipients of $18.5 billion in government loan guarantees for building the first new nuclear power plants. The department recently informed four companies planning new reactors in Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina and Texas that their applications have been elevated for closer scrutiny, department and industry officials said Friday.

Energy Department spokeswoman Stephanie Mueller said the applications were singled out for closer review because they are furthest along in obtaining a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The proposed projects singled out include Atlanta-based Southern Company for two new reactors at its Vogtle power plant near Waynesboro, and South Carolina Electric & Gas, for two new reactors at its V.C. Summer power plant near Columbia, South Carolina.

(Associated Press)

Plant Vogtle Nuclear Expansion in Hearings

The construction of two nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle near Augusta will be before Georgia's Public Service Commission this week.

At the same time, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will also consider the plan. The NRC will begin holding hearings Monday on how the plants would affect the Savannah River. Opponents say the plan will use too much water from the river. The reactors would draw millions of gallons of water each day for its cooling towers.

But the company that manages Plant Vogtle says the reactors will use a tiny percentage of river water, returning a portion to the Savannah.

The hearing will focus on those arguments and whether dredging the river to ship in large portions of the reactors would cause environmental problems.

The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board begins four-day public meeting to discuss the early
site permit application for Plant Vogle at the Doubletree Hotel and Convention Center, 2651 Perimeter Parkway, Augusta.
Contacts: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 301-415-8200