"Nuclear Safety, Costs Loom Over OK'd Reactors"

"The nuclear industry is celebrating the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission's decision to give the go-ahead for a utility company to build two new nuclear reactors in Georgia, the first license to be granted for a new reactor in the U.S. since 1978. But last year's accident at reactors in Fukushima, Japan, still clouds the future of nuclear power, as does the cost of new power plants."



"The Southern Co. will build the reactors at its Vogtle site in Georgia, where two older reactors already operate.

Scott Peterson, vice president of the industry's Nuclear Energy Institute, says it's not a "nuclear renaissance," but instead a 'first wave' for new reactors."

Christopher Joyce reports for NPR's Morning Edition February 10, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Federal Regulators Approve Two Nuclear Reactors in Georgia" (New York Times)

"First New U.S. Nuclear Reactors in Decades Approved" (Los Angeles Times)

"NRC Okays First New Nuke Plant in 30 Years" (AP)


"US Approves First New Nuclear Plant in a Generation" (Reuters)


NRC Approves Vogtle Reactors" (Augusta Chronicle)

NRC: Backgrounder on New Nuclear Plant Designs

Source: NPR, 02/10/2012