COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Two environmental groups have asked South
Carolina utility regulators to withdraw approval for Duke Energy
Corp. to begin work at a proposed nuclear power plant.
In petitions filed Thursday, Friends of the Earth and NC Warn
said the reactor design Duke plans to used in Cherokee County has
not been approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They said
the plan creates uncertainty about Duke's construction timetable
and costs.
NRC spokeswoman Ivonne Couret said Westinghouse Electric Co.'s
original design for the reactor has been certified, but revisions
are still being reviewed.
In May, the South Carolina Public Service Commission approved
Duke's request to spend up to $230 million through Dec. 31, 2009,
on pre-construction work at the site.
