Third class of Vogtle 3&4 operators pass NRC licensing exam
Progress continues reaching milestones and customers will see a $25 bill credit in July.
Plant Vogtle has hit another operational milestone as members of the third training class of nuclear operators have passed the initial licensing exam by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Having licensed, qualified operators in place prior to nuclear fuel loading and plant start up helps ensure that the new units can be placed in service as quickly and safely as possible to deliver power for 500,000 homes and businesses.
Training is a multi-year process culminating in a three-week test, which also includes simulator testing and job performance measures. Each training class goes through a rigorous schedule that teaches candidates the fundamentals of nuclear power and plant operations. The training prepares them for duties as licensed operators through AP1000 system-specific training in the classroom and simulator, as well as hands-on training and task performance evaluations.
Jobs for Georgia
With more than 6,000 construction workers onsite today, the Vogtle nuclear expansion is the largest job-producing project in the state of Georgia. Once online, the new units will provide more than 800 careers, including 75 nuclear operators. Including the latest class of operators, 56 licensed operators are now available for Vogtle Units 3 and 4 with additional licensing training underway.
Savings & benefits for customers
From the beginning of the Vogtle expansion, Georgia Power has worked with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to find all available benefits for customers and minimize the impact of the new units on electric bills. The company's 18th Vogtle Construction Monitoring Report noted a revised, lower projected rate impact for customers of 9.8% with approximately half of this impact already in place on bills. This projected rate impact is well below original projections of approximately 12% thanks to new federal tax laws, anticipated customer benefits from federal production tax credits, interest savings from loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the fuel savings of nuclear energy.
Additionally, $75 in total 2018 bill credits, or $188 million overall, were approved by the Georgia PSC as part of its order to continue construction of Vogtle 3 & 4 in December 2017. Georgia Power issued the first $25 credit in April and plans to issue the second credit in July. The credits are a direct result of parent guarantee payments for the project from Toshiba available due to the strength of the original contract for the project and protections in place for Georgia electric customers.
Follow the progress being made at the project with new photos added to the