The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has authorized Southern Nuclear Operating Company to load fuel and begin operation of Vogtle Unit 4 in Georgia. This is the second reactor to reach this step in the NRC’s combined license process.

Southern Nuclear recently informed the agency that it had completed the inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria needed to demonstrate Vogtle Unit 4 will meet its license requirements.

“Our work in approving Unit 4 to move forward benefitted from what we learned in licensing Unit 3,” said Andrea Veil, director of the NRC’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. She added: “We’re satisfied that Vogtle Unit 4 has been properly built and will protect public health and safety as it follows Unit 3 on the path to operation. NRC staff working at the site, in our Atlanta office, and here at headquarters will continue monitoring Unit 4’s activities as the fuel load and startup testing move forward.”

The NRC’s decision transfers Vogtle Unit 4 into the operating reactor oversight process from the construction reactor oversight process.