ATLANTA --- The credit crunch has no doubt forced people to put off car purchases or home remodeling. But how about building a multibillion-dollar nuclear power plant?

Unlike other sectors, investor-owned utility companies appear financially sound enough to proceed with expensive nuclear projects, according to industry analysts.

That bodes well for the 19 nuclear projects, including the expansion of Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, that are moving through the regulatory process.

State utility regulators this week will begin reviewing Georgia Power's request to add two reactors to the two already pumping out power at Plant Vogtle. Their decision is expected in March.

The utility is also awaiting federal approval of a combined construction and operating license for the reactors, which could come in 2011.

Heading in with a strong credit rating, Georgia Power officials aren't deterred by the credit crunch.

"We don't expect the current economic situation to impact our financing for the new units," spokesman Jeff Wilson said.

Georgia Power, which shares ownership in the plant with other utilities, would be on the hook for $6.4 billion in construction costs for its 45 percent stake. The total cost of the plant would be about $14 billion at that rate. The partner utilities are Oglethorpe Power Corp., Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities.

Some of the optimism toward financing is fueled with hope the utility will collect construction costs from ratepayers before building begins.

Mr. Wilson said the company plans to ask the Public Service Commission for permission to start such collections around 2011, which could shave about $2 billion off the plant's cost.