US approves first nuclear plant since 1986

The US government gave the final green light on Thursday for the construction of the first new nuclear power plant in the country since 1986.

The US government gave the final green light on Thursday for the construction of the first new nuclear power plant in the country since 1986.

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In a hearing, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the construction of two new reactors at power generator Southern Co.'s existing Vogtle, Georgia facility.

Southern Co will install two Westinghouse-Toshiba A1000 pressurized water reactors in the plant, the design of which was approved in December after lengthy delays.

The decision came despite being opposed by NRC chairman Gregory Jaczko, who said Japan's nuclear industry disaster last year after the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami signalled the need for more caution.

"I cannot support issuing this licence as if Fukushima has never happened. In my view that is what we are doing," he said.