A new nuclear reactor at Plant Vogtle in Georgia has started commercial operation, marking the first new American reactor built from scratch in years.
The Unit 3 reactor can power 500,000 homes and businesses with its 1,100-megawatt output. It’s part of efforts to use nuclear power to combat climate change by generating electricity without burning fossil fuels.
However, the project faced delays and cost overruns, with the third and fourth reactors originally estimated at $14 billion but now expected to cost owners $31 billion.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
