Significant Progress Continues

Friday, March 22, marked a significant milestone at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Georgia.

That day I was joined at the Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear expansion project by U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Georgia Power chairman, president and CEO Paul Bowers, North America's Building Trades Unions president Sean McGarvey, hundreds of workers and special guests to witness the placement of the top of the containment vessel for Unit 3. This accomplishment signifies that all modules and large components have been placed inside the unit.

While he was visiting Vogtle, Secretary Perry announced that the Department of Energy reached financial close for up to $3.7 billion in additional guarantees of loans to Georgia Power and the project co-owners to finance continued construction. Significant progress continues at the site, with the project now approximately 75 percent complete. This progress is a direct result of the tremendous support the project has received from our public and private partners from the very beginning.

This project – the first of its kind in the U.S. and the first new nuclear generation plant built in this country in over 30 years – is a national imperative. Nuclear power is a vital part of our energy mix and a cornerstone of our national security. It offers the U.S. a resilient grid, supports our national defense and helps ensure geopolitical leadership abroad. Further, nuclear plants increase our national energy independence by providing home-grown generation featuring stable pricing hardened against fuel supply disruptions.

I am proud of the work that is being done at the construction site. Currently, approximately 7,500 construction workers are on site and more than 9,000 workers are expected to be on site during peak construction. The men and women who are working here, have worked here, and will work here in the future are doing a great service to our country. 

As we work to bring these new units to completion, we remain focused on the important work ahead.