Federal regulators found no environmental impact that would prevent Southern Nuclear Operating Company from re-licensing Plant Vogtle's two existing reactors.

The conclusions from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission are included in a draft supplemental Environmental Impact Statement that will be the subject of two public meetings in Waynesboro, Ga., on June 3, said NRC spokesman Roger Hannah.

Southern Nuclear applied to the NRC on June 29 to renew Vogtle's license for an additional 20 years. The current licenses expire Jan. 16, 2027, for Unit 1 and Feb. 9, 2029, for Unit 2.

The re-licensing proceedings are separate from the company's simultaneous quest to pursue an early site permit allowing the eventual construction of two additional reactors at the site on the Savannah River 26 miles south of Augusta, Mr. Hannah said.

Those proceedings are being opposed by environmental groups on grounds that the NRC failed to consider the impact of additional water withdrawals from the Savannah River, particularly during periods of drought.

Rita Kilpatrick, the Georgia director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said she is aware of the NRC's findings on the re-licensing request and believes more scrutiny is needed.

"The dangers and liabilities linked to nuclear power don't go away simply because the federal government and nuclear utilities pretend they don't exist," she wrote in an e-mail. "Mounting toxic radioactive waste is one of many causes for public concern as the federal agency turns its back."

The NRC will hold meetings at 1:30 and 7 p.m. June 3 to accept public comments on the draft report related to the re-licensing.

NRC staff will be available for an hour before the start of each meeting for informal, one-on-one discussions.

Those interested may register to attend or speak at the meetings by contacting J.P. Leous, the NRC Environmental Project Manager, at (800) 368-5642, ext. 2864, or by e-mail at JPL1@nrc.gov.

The draft report is also available for review at the Burke County Library, 130 Highway 24 South in Waynesboro; or online at www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1437/supplement34/.