WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- EEI President Tom Kuhn hailed today's approval of the nation's first new nuclear operating license in more than three decades, calling the decision by federal regulators "a crucial step in revitalizing the role that nuclear power plays in the U.S. energy portfolio."

"We commend the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for giving the green light to Georgia Power to build its new reactors at its Vogtle site," Kuhn said. "It is an outcome that is completely consistent with what Republicans and Democrats recently have been calling for—an 'all of the above' energy strategy, which the electric power sector has advocated for many years."

"We also anticipate that the Commission in the near future will approve a new license for two new reactors by South Carolina's SCANA Corp. at their V.C. Summer site," Kuhn said.

"As we move toward a cleaner, more modern and reliable electric grid that gives customers greater choice in the way they use electricity, we'll need it all—from nuclear and increasingly clean coal-based generation to natural gas, renewables and increased efficiency," Kuhn said. "We are ever more dependent on electric technologies in our homes and businesses, and we need a balanced and diverse energy portfolio to maintain reliable, affordable electricity."

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies. Our members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry. We also have more than 65 International electric companies as Affiliate members, and more than 170 industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate members.

SOURCE Edison Electric Institute

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