Nuclear Energy Institute applauds Georgia Power’s recommendation to complete Vogtle nuclear expansion
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) praised Georgia Power’s decision to file a recommendation to the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to complete construction of the two new Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Georgia.
“Georgia Power’s decision to continue construction of Vogtle Units 3 and 4 is welcome news and signals a new era for nuclear energy in this country,” NEI President and CEO Maria Korsnick said.
The company said it based its decision on an assessment of schedule, cost to complete and cancellation and that completing the project is the “most economic choice for customers.”
Completion of the project is subject to settlement payments from Toshiba Corp., additional loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy and Congressional action to extend production tax credits (PTCs) for new nuclear plants.
“Now that Southern Company and Georgia Power have done their job, it’s time for the politicians in Washington to respond in kind,” Korsnick said. “The Senate must follow the example of the House and vote to lift the deadline for the nuclear power production tax credit so critical to the completion of this project. The Vogtle reactors are a national asset that we can ill afford to lose, and the Senate must act quickly to preserve a critical piece of our strategic infrastructure.”
The PSC is expected to make its decision on whether to approve the revised schedule and cost estimates by February 2018.
