WAYNESBORO, Georgia — US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Friday (Saturday in Manila) called for more nuclear reactors to be built in the United States and worldwide.
But the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Georgia utility that just finished the first two scratch-built American reactors in a generation at a cost of nearly $35 billion says his company isn't ready to pick up that baton.
Speaking in Waynesboro, Georgia, where Georgia Power Co. and three other utilities last month put a second new nuclear reactor into commercial operation, Granholm said the United States needs 98 more reactors with the capacity of units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle to produce electricity while reducing climate-changing carbon emissions. Each of the two new reactors can power 500,000 homes and businesses without releasing any carbon.
"It is now time for others to follow their lead to reach our goal of getting to net zero by 2050," Granholm said. "We have to at least triple our current nuclear capacity in this country."
The federal government said it is easing the risks of nuclear construction, but the $11 billion in cost overruns at Plant Vogtle near Augusta remain sobering for other utilities. Chris Womack is the CEO of Southern Co., the Atlanta-based parent company of Georgia Power. He said he supports Granholm's call for more nuclear-power generation, but he added that his company wouldn't build more soon.
"I think the federal government should provide a leadership role in facilitating and making that become a reality," Womack said. "We've had a long experience, and we're going to celebrate what we've gotten done here for a good little while."
Friday's event capped a week of celebrations, where leaders proclaimed the reactors a success, even though they finished seven years late.
On Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp floated the idea of a fifth Vogtle reactor. Although the Republican Kemp rarely discusses climate change, he has made electric vehicles a priority and has said new industries demand carbon-free electricity.
"One of the first questions on their minds is: Can we provide them with what they need?" Kemp said. "We can confidently answer 'Yes!' because of days like today."
The new Vogtle reactors are currently projected to cost Georgia Power and three other owners $31 billion, according to calculations by The Associated Press. Add in $3.7 billion that original contractor Westinghouse paid Vogtle owners to walk away from construction, and the total nears $35 billion.
Electric customers in Georgia already have paid billions for what may be the most expensive power plant ever. The federal government aided Vogtle by guaranteeing the repayment of P12 billion in loans, reducing borrowing costs.
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