US approves nuclear plant construction
For the first time in over 30 years, the US has approved designs to construct nuclear power plants.
Southern Company, an Atlanta utility firm, will build two new plants at its current nuclear power plant in Georgia. The construction will cost upwards of $14 billion, with $8.3 billion stemming from a federal loan guarantee.
One member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission did not approve the decision, still wary of Japan’s recent nuclear struggles following a devastating earthquake. He believes further study is necessary to ensure nuclear reactors are stable enough to withstand natural disasters.
This is the first nuclear plant to be built since a partial nuclear meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979.
Southern Co. expects the plant to begin service in 2016 or 2017.