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NRC begins review at Plant Vogtle The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) began its review last week to determine if Southern Nuclear selected a suitable site for new nuclear reactors in Burke County. Southern Nuclear Operating Company, which operates Plant Vogtle, filed its Early Site Permit (ESP) application last month with the NRC. If the company does decide to build, as many locals hope they will, company officials say the road to construction will be a long one. The most recent development lies in the NRC's decision that the ESP application contains sufficient information to begin its technical review. "All of our information is complete, and we will not need to go back and conduct additional research for the application," Southern Nuclear spokesperson Carol Boatwright said. "That's obviously the best answer we could get. It's what we were hoping for." If the NRC authorizes the permit, Southern Nuclear would have a preapproved site, should they decide to build the new reactors. However, approval of the application does not commit the company to build. Also, Southern Nuclear would have up to 20 years to submit an application to actually begin construction of reactors on the site. Plant Vogtle's ESP application is available on the NRC's website at www.nrc.gov/reactors/ n e w l i c e n s i n g / e s p / vogtle.html. A copy of the application may also be viewed at the Burke County Library.
The next public meeting concerning the possible new reactors is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 19. The meeting will be in the auditorium of the Waynesboro/Burke Campus of Augusta Technical College. |
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