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Proponents say more nuclear plants could cut the country's reliance on fossil fuels and create energy without the producing the emissions blamed for global warming. A new government permitting process strongly encourages utilities to use pre-approved reactor designs rather than building custom models, a strategy intended to make plants easier to build and therefore less expensive. Problems have hampered the anticipated building boom. The prolonged economic downturn cut the demand for electricity. The ability to extract natural gas in previously untapped shale formations increased the supply of the fossil fuel and made the cost of gas plants cheaper. Finally, the nuclear disaster in Japan put additional public and political scrutiny on the industry. Atlanta-based Southern Co. applied to build the first two AP1000 reactors at Plant Vogtle in Georgia. The $14 billion effort is the pilot project for the new reactor and a major test of whether the industry can build nuclear plants without the endemic delays and cost overruns that plagued earlier rounds of building years ago. President Barack Obama's administration has offered the project $8 billion in federal loan guarantees as part of its pledge to expand nuclear power. Close on its heels is SCANA Corp., which is also seeking permission to build two reactors at an existing plant in Jenkinsville, S.C. Westinghouse also has a contract to build its newest reactor in Florida. It remains unclear exactly when the reactor will receive final approval
-- a major concern for Southern Co. since any delays could increase the cost of its project. Under existing rules, a reactor design that commissioners have voted to approve must be published in the Federal Register for 30 days before it is legally effective. Southern Co. officials have asked the commission to make the design effective immediately after the vote.
[Associated
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