Southern Co.: Safer Nuclear Fuels Will Make Plants Profitable

Safer nuclear power plant fuels could help make it more affordable for the Southern Co. to keep its nuclear power plants open, a company official said Sept. 13.

The safer fuels, known as “accident-tolerant” fuels, will help improve nuclear power plant efficiency and profitability, John Williams, nuclear fuel and analysis director for Southern Nuclear Operating Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Southern Company, said at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing.

Accident-tolerant fuels will help prevent nuclear reactors from melting down if they can no longer cool themselves in an emergency. The safer fuels ...