Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster
The CEO of Southern Company, Thomas Fanning, said the approval was a "monumental accomplishment." In a conference call after the approval, he told reporters, "Anything that we learn from Fukushima, I assure you we will bring to bear", referring to the 
. In an interview, he also said regulatory oversight "has been thorough, it has been thoughtful and it is complete." 
US regulators approve new nuclear reactors for first time in 34 years