TVA Signs on for Mixed Oxide Fuel to be Produced Near Augusta

The Tennessee Valley Authority, a federal nuclear operation and a major energy supplier in the South, has tentatively signed on to use mixed oxide fuel from a plant under construction near Augusta.

TVA has signed a letter of intent for the fuel, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration, and a final decision will come after the agency evaluates use of the fuel for reactors at the Sequoyah and Browns Ferry nuclear plants in Tennessee and Alabama, respectively.

The fuel would be made from weapons grade plutonium -- a total of 34 metric tons -- at the Savannah River Site, a massive federal entity near Augusta that processes nuclear materials, and used in commercial nuclear reactors. It is currently under construction, and at $4.8 billion, is one of the most expensive projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

TVA is so far the only agency on board to use the fuel. Duke Energy, which provides power to the Carolinas, did not renew a contract with the MOX plant earlier this year after delays in construction of the plant. The company has said it supports the plant, however, and might consider renewing its plans for the fuel at a later date.

Supporters of the MOX plant say it's a crucial part of nuclear nonproliferation efforts and provides yet another resource for energy. Opponents say the MOX project is too expensive and dangerous; they also have expressed skepticism over whether the fuel will work in the reactors.

Officials expect the plant to start producing fuel in 2016.

Near-record power rate hikes

Customers who use Tennessee Valley Authority power are expected to see their largest rate increase in three decades. Starting tomorrow, TVA rates will jump by 20%. That will average $16 to $20 a month per residential bill. Virtually all of TVA's distributors in Georgia are expected to pass the higher rates on to their customers.

TVA rate hike possible

Tennessee Valley Authority customers could be facing their biggest electric rate increase in decades. TVA blames costs for coal and purchased power from others have skyrocketed. The impact on TVA's more than 8 million consumers could be a jump in their electric bill of 10 percent to 20 percent on Oct. 1. A 15 percent increase would be TVA's largest rate hike since 1977.

First Georgian to serve on TVA

The first Georgian is set to serve on the board of directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved Thomas Gilliland of Blairsville for the spot. The TVA delivers power to nearly 130,000 northwest Georgia households and to several other southeastern states.