NRC chairman votes on new nuclear reactor design

Bloomberg.com: NRC chairman votes on new nuclear reactor design

ATLANTA (AP) — The chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says it's time for the public to comment on a new reactor design that would power an expansion of a nuclear plant in eastern Georgia.

Chairman Gregory Jaczko has voted in favor of submitting the proposed rules for the Westinghouse Electric Co.'s AP1000 reactor for public comment. His vote was cast Jan. 30 and publicly released this week.

Other commissioners were still voting.

If the other commissioners agree, the public could give its opinion on the reactor design. Atlanta-based Southern Co. wants to build two AP1000 reactors at a site near Waynesboro.

After public comments are reviewed, the NRC would take another vote on whether to give the design final approval.