Georgia Power cleared to load fuel, begin startup process for Vogtle unit 4

Georgia Power Co. received clearance from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to load fuel and begin the startup process for unit 4 of its Alvin W. Vogtle Nuclear Plant, the Southern Co. subsidiary said in a July 28 news release.

The 103(g) finding indicates that unit 4 has satisfied the 364 required inspections, tests, analyses and acceptance criteria, collectively known as ITAACs, as outlined in the combined license of plant operator Southern Nuclear Operating Co. Inc. The company submitted documentation for ITAACs earlier in July.

Startup testing and operations at unit 4 will take several months, the utility said.

Vogtle 4 is owned by Georgia Power at 45.7%, Oglethorpe Power Corp. at 30%, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia at 22.7% and the city of Dalton, Ga.'s Dalton Utilities Inc., at 1.6%, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data.

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