The state's Public Service Commission is meeting with Georgia Power today to review plans for two proposed new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle near Augusta.

It's the first hearing in a process called integrated resource planning, in which the PSC monitors the construction timeline and budget of the project, which is expected to cost Georgia Power about $6.4 billion.

Even though the federal government has not yet approved construction and operation of the reactors, preliminary site work has begun. The monitoring is an effort to prevent cost overruns during construction that could lead to dramatic rate increases for consumers.

Tags: Georgia, Georgia Power, Augusta, Bobby Baker, nuclear, Waynesboro, nuclear reactors, nuclear energy, Plant Vogtle, Georgia Public Service Commission, Rita Kilpatrick, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy