Vogtle plant expansion granted NPDES permit to recirculate used water

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit late last week for the Vogtle plant expansion project near Waynesboro, Georgia.

The Vogtle Electric Generating Plant is adding two nuclear reactors at the facility. Georgia Power, a partial owner of the plant, said this permit serves as a milestone in the regulatory process. With this permit, the facility is authorized to return water used in the electricity generation process from these new reactors to state waterways. The company said recirculated water is clean and safe.

Once completed, the Vogtle plant expansion will add approximately 2,234 megawatts of generating capacity at the facility. Combined with the facility’s current capacity of approximately 2,430 watts, the facility is anticipated to be able to produce more electricity than any operating nuclear generation plant in the U.S.

The company said the surface that will act as a base for the turbine for Unit 3 was completed.