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U.S. Approves First Nuclear Reactors Since 1978

February 09, 2012

The U.S. government has approved the construction of the first nuclear reactors to be built in the country since 1978.

In a hearing, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved the construction of two nuclear reactors at an existing plant in the southern state of Georgia.

The reactors are expected to cost $14 billion and could begin operating as soon as 2016 and 2017.

The NRC last approved construction of a nuclear plant in 1978, a year before a partial meltdown of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania raised fears of a radiation release.

NRC chairman Gregory Jaczko voted against the February 9 decision, saying last year's disaster at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant showed the need for more caution.

Compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/us_approves_first_nuclear_reactors_since_1978/24479256.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.