Firm asks to add 2 reactors

Southern Co. announced Monday it has filed a federal application to build and operate two new nuclear reactors at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant.

The utility's Southern Nuclear Operating Co. filed a Combined Construction and Operating License with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the latest step toward expanding the nuclear power plant near Waynesboro.

The addition of two new reactors would create thousands of temporary construction jobs and double the plant's full-time employment to nearly 1,800.

The application does not commit the owners of Plant Vogtle to build new units, but is required if they do decide to move forward on the project. Georgia Power, the majority owner of Plant Vogtle, also would need approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission before making a final decision to build the new reactors, Units 3 and 4.

Officials with the utility company have previously said they would make their decision this year.

The facility's other owners are Oglethorpe Power Corp., the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and the city of Dalton Utilities.

The license, known as a COL, involves evaluating a reactor design at a specific site. Plant Vogtle's owners have selected Westinghouse AP1000 reactors for the two additional units.

Southern Nuclear applied for an Early Site Permit for Plant Vogtle in August 2006.

The new reactors could go online as early as 2015 if all applications are approved and the companies commit to the project.