Current:Home > InvestFirst American nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades enters commercial operation in Georgia -ProsperityStream Academy
First American nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades enters commercial operation in Georgia
View
Date:2025-04-11 19:40:56
ATLANTA (AP) — A new reactor at a nuclear power plant in Georgia has entered commercial operation, becoming the first new American reactor built from scratch in decades.
Georgia Power Co. announced Monday that Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle, southeast of Augusta, has completed testing and is now sending power to the grid reliably.
At its full output of 1,100 megawatts of electricity, Unit 3 can power 500,000 homes and businesses. Utilities in Georgia, Florida and Alabama are receiving the electricity.
A fourth reactor is also nearing completion at the site, where two earlier reactors have been generating electricity for decades. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday said radioactive fuel could be loaded into Unit 4, a step expected to take place before the end of September. Unit 4 is scheduled to enter commercial operation by March.
The third and fourth reactors were originally supposed to cost $14 billion, but are now on track to cost their owners $31 billion. That doesn’t include $3.7 billion that original contractor Westinghouse paid to the owners to walk away from the project. That brings total spending to almost $35 billion.
The third reactor was supposed to start generating power in 2016 when construction began in 2009.
Vogtle is important because government officials and some utilities are again looking to nuclear power to alleviate climate change by generating electricity without burning natural gas, coal and oil.
In Georgia, almost every electric customer will pay for Vogtle. Georgia Power, the largest unit of Atlanta-based Southern Co., currently owns 45.7% of the reactors. Smaller shares are owned by Oglethorpe Power Corp., which provides electricity to member-owned cooperatives, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and the city of Dalton. Oglethorpe and MEAG plan to sell power to cooperatives and municipal utilities across Georgia, as well in Jacksonville, Florida, and parts of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
Georgia Power’s 2.7 million customers are already paying part of the financing cost and elected public service commissioners have approved a monthly rate increase of $3.78 a month for residential customers as soon as the third unit begins generating power. That could hit bills in August, two months after residential customers saw a $16-a-month increase to pay for higher fuel costs.
Commissioners will decide later who pays for the remainder of the costs of Vogtle, including the fourth reactor.
veryGood! (85656)
Related
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- 'They do not care': Ex-officer fights for answers in pregnant teen's death, searches for missing people of color
- Zac Efron and John Cena on their 'very natural' friendship, new comedy 'Ricky Stanicky'
- FDA says to throw away these 6 cinnamon products because they contain high levels of lead
- Carolinas bracing for second landfall from Tropical Storm Debby: Live updates
- Offset talks solo tour that will honor 'greatest talent' Takeoff, his Atlanta 'soul'
- Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC in Champions Cup: Will Messi play? Live updates, how to watch.
- Margaret Qualley to Star as Amanda Knox in New Hulu Series
- Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
- Broncos release two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, team's longest-tenured player
Ranking
- 9/11 hearings at Guantanamo Bay in upheaval after surprise order by US defense chief
- Offset talks solo tour that will honor 'greatest talent' Takeoff, his Atlanta 'soul'
- Cannabis sales in Minnesota are likely to start later than expected. How much later isn’t clear
- New York library won't let man with autism use children's room. His family called the restriction 'callous'
- Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
- Woman whose husband killed his 5-year-old daughter granted parole for perjury
- Take 68% off Origins Skincare, 40% off Skechers, 57% off a Renpho Heated Eye Massager & More Major Deals
- Amy Schumer's Parenting Milestone With 4-Year-Old Son Gene Will Have You Exhausted
Recommendation
Blake Lively’s Inner Circle Shares Rare Insight on Her Life as a Mom to 4 Kids
'You get paid a lot of money': Kirsten Dunst says she's open for another superhero movie
Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns out indefinitely with torn meniscus, per report
That's just 'Psycho,' Oscars: These 10 classic movies didn't win a single Academy Award
Taylor Swift Cancels Austria Concerts After Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack
Burger King sweetens its create-your-own Whopper contest with a free burger
Amy Schumer's Parenting Milestone With 4-Year-Old Son Gene Will Have You Exhausted
Iowa House OKs bill to criminalize death of an “unborn person” despite IVF concerns