BLUE RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE LEAGUE
PO Box 88 ~ Glendale Springs, North Carolina 28629 ~ Phone (336) 982-2691 ~ Fax (336) 982-2954 ~ Email: BREDL@skybest.com

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2009

CONTACT:
Louis Zeller (336) 982-2691

GROUPS FILE FEDERAL APPEAL AGAINST SOUTHERN COMPANY’S PROPOSED NEW VOGTLE NUCLEAR REACTORS

Today organizations concerned with the high costs and environmental risks posed by Southern Company’s plan to build two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle near Augusta, Ga. announced their filing of an appeal in federal court to stop the proposed expansion. The groups’ appeal calls upon the court to review the site permit and work authorization issued earlier this year by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the new reactors at Plant Vogtle.

In the petition for review, docketed in the U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit on October 28, the groups contend that the NRC violated the Atomic Energy Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and other relevant laws. The appeal states, “Petitioners seek review and reversal of the issuance of the ESP and the LWA for the Vogtle ESP site.” The appeal was filed by Emory University School of Law’s Turner Environmental Law Clinic and Diane Curran on behalf of five groups: Center for a Sustainable Coast, Savannah River Keeper, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Georgia Women’s Action for New Directions and Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League.

The NRC issued the early site permit (ESP) and a limited work authorization (LWA) in August. At issue is how much construction should be allowed to occur at the site before the final permit for construction and operation is issued. The NRC does not expect to issue the actual license to construct the new nuclear reactors until 2011, if then. That license, known as a combined construction and operating license, faces several significant hurdles, including an environmental impact assessment and a safety analysis. The groups argue that as delays occur, costs are likely to rise and ratepayers in Georgia are on the hook due to legislation passed earlier this year that allows Georgia Power to request early cost recovery.

Notably, the Toshiba Westinghouse AP-1000 reactor design, which is planned for Plant Vogtle, faces a regulatory gauntlet before its design is finalized. The NRC said that there are grave doubts about the AP-1000 nuclear reactor’s structure and stated that efforts to secure additional information had gone on for a year.

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More info: Download Petition for Review | Vogtle