NRC panel considers challenge to new reactors

Image via WikipediaFeds to tackle challenge against Ga. nuclear project

 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has set an Oct. 19 meeting on whether environmental groups can contest Southern Nuclear's bid to construct two reactors at Plant Vogtle in Georgia. The facility would use Westinghouse Electric's AP1000 reactor design. Bloomberg Businessweek/The Associated Press

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Public can speak on reactors By Rob Pavey

Image via WikipediaNRC seeks public input on Ga. nuclear project
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission sought public comment this week on the draft supplemental environmental impact statement for Southern Nuclear's expansion plan for Plant Vogtle in Georgia. "NRC will discuss the process we go through, the status of licensing, what we did in the process of the environmental study, and also our recommendations," said Joey Ledford, a spokesman for the NRC. The Augusta Chronicle (Ga.)http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2010-10-06/public-can-speak-reactors

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US new build plans delayed

US new build plans delayed

17 September 2010

Plans for new nuclear build in the USA have been delayed due to a lack of demand for electricity, according to the head of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). Nevertheless,TVA's forward planning sees it increasing its nuclear capacity over the next 20 years.

Watts Bar (Image: TVA)

Speaking in London at the Annual Symposium of the World Nuclear Association, NEI President and CEO Marvin Fertel told the meeting that the economic downturn, along with a decline in the price of natural gas, has caused forward power prices to fall to levels well below those previously predicted. The country now faces a similar situation to the past 15 years, during which time 320 GWe of gas-fired plant capacity was built, compared with a total of only 20 GWe of capacity from all other forms of generation. "Gas is going to be the dominant part of the new supply source," Fertel said.

Although 13 combined construction and operating licence (COL) applications, representing 22 new nuclear reactors, are under active review by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Fertel said that the industry is not expecting construction to begin on so many reactors in the near future. If four to eight reactors would start up by 2020, this would be a "successful start" to new nuclear construction. Pre-construction activities for new nuclear reactors have begun at Vogtle in Georgia and V.C. Summer in Sourth Carolina. Two Westinghouse AP1000 are planned for each site, the first of which (at Vogtle) is expected to commence operation in late 2016. Meanwhile, work to complete TVA's Watts Bar 2 in Tennessee is due to finish in 2013. Construction on the unit was suspended in 1985 and resumed in 2007. 
More at link

Southern Co.'s Nuclear Game Plan Jonathan Fahey

Southern, Westinghouse Confident Vogtle Project on Track

The outcome of the Southern Co.'s plan to build two new nuclear reactors at its Vogtle power station near Augusta, Ga., could determine the future of nuclear power in the U.S., Forbes reported. Joseph "Buzz" Miller, executive VP for nuclear development for Southern, was quoted as saying: "Success here is the linchpin for the nuclear industry in this country." The project has an $8.3-billion federal loan guarantee, and reactor vendors and engineering and construction firms have said things will be different compared with the nuclear projects of the 1970s, which were known for their managerial debacles.

Westinghouse CEO Aris Candris was quoted as saying: "We went through a long, lean period in nuclear. That gave us plenty of time to lock arms as an industry and decide next time we were going to do it right." Problems have already arisen: the NRC has not signed off on the new Westinghouse design for the AP1000 reactor and the Shaw Group, contractor for the project, hired subcontractors who did not do the necessary paperwork for staff correctly. Nonetheless, Miller was quoted as saying: "We're going to have bumps, but it's not impossible. It can be done."

Forbes, Sept. 27.

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Pro & Con: Can Georgia Power contain costs of Plant Vogtle reactors?

Improved industry practices and better regulatory policies will work toward ensuring that the cost of Georgia Power's Vogtle expansion project will not spiral out of control, according to Buzz Miller, the company's executive vice president for nuclear development. "The lessons learned at home and abroad have paved the way for a new generation of U.S. nuclear power plants that feature advanced designs, refined construction techniques, early engagement by state public service commissions and a licensing process geared to a mature technology," he writes. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Southern Co.'s Nuclear Game Plan Jonathan Fahey, Forbes Magazine dated September 27, 2010

Buzz Miller leads nuclear development for Southern Co.

Southern hopes Ga. project will spark growth in nuclear sector
All eyes are on Southern Co. as it begins a seven-year, $14 billion expansion project of its Vogtle plant in Georgia, building the first nuclear reactors in the U.S. since 1977. "Success here is the linchpin for the nuclear industry in this country," said Joseph Miller, Southern's executive vice president for nuclear development. Forbes

Feds: Ga. nuclear power plant should proceed

Image via WikipediaVogtle project clears environmental hurdle with NRC staff support
Nuclear Regulatory Commission personnel found no major environmental concerns that would hamper Southern Co. from constructing two new reactors at Plant Vogtle. In a draft report issued Tuesday, staff recommended that federal regulators permit the expansion. The NRC is still considering the proposed expansion. RDMag.com/The Associated Press

Vogtle plant-expansion site is being prepared

Vogtle has generated power for two decades

Building crews are already performing site-preparation activities for Southern's Vogtle expansion project that will see two Westinghouse AP1000 reactors added to the site. The two reactors, which are expected to cost about $14.5 billion, are slated to go online in 2016 and 2017, depending on the release of operating permits from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The Augusta Chronicle (Ga.)