U.S. nuclear regulator OKs construction of 1st reactors in 34 yrs.WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 KyodoThe U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), an independent U.S. government commission, created by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and charged with licensing and regulating civilian use of nuclear energy to protect the public and the environment. on Thursday approved the construction of new nuclear reactors in Georgia, marking the first such authorization in 34 years following the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident. With the 4-1 vote decision, new reactors of Westinghouse Electric Co., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp., are cleared for the construction and operation at the existing Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia. The new reactors are expected to start operation in 2016 if the construction is proceeded on schedule. The new reactor, AP 1000 reactor, is a 1,100 megawatt electric pressurized water reactor Noun 1. pressurized water reactor - a nuclear reactor that uses water as a coolant and moderator; the steam produced can drive a steam turbine PWR water-cooled reactor - nuclear reactor using water as a coolant , equipped with passive safety measures safety measures, n.pl actions (e.g., use of glasses, face masks) taken to protect patients and office personnel from such known hazards as particles and aerosols from high-speed rotary instruments, mercury vapor, radiation exposure, anesthetic and designed to cool the reactor in the event of an accident without the need for human intervention, according to the panel. The nuclear regulator panel had given the green light to the designs of the new Westinghouse reactors in December. |
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