Thursday, December 23, 2010

Federal Committee OKs Reactor Design

From GPB News:

The Advisory Committee On Reactor Safeguards says the Westinghouse AP1000 reactors are safe to build and operate.

The panel advises the Nuclear Regulatory Commission which has to certify the reactor design before Southern Company can begin construction of two new units at Plant Vogtle.

Carrie Phillips is with Southern Nuclear which operates the plant.

"It’s just kind of completing another step in the licensing process and clears the way so we can move forward," said Phillips.

The panel’s decision won’t be finalized until a review shows the reactor could withstand a plane crash.

Environmental groups have challenged the Westinghouse design, saying if it failed toxic gas would leak into the atmosphere.

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