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  <title><![CDATA[Powering the Future - Georgia Tech Alumni Fuel Nation’s Largest Nuclear Plant]]></title>
  <body><![CDATA[<p>Primarily driven by the rapid construction of data centers nationwide amid the artificial intelligence boom, total electricity usage in the United States is projected to grow by 32% by 2030, according to the <a href="https://gridstrategiesllc.com/wp-content/uploads/Grid-Strategies-National-Load-Growth-Report-2025.pdf"><strong>Connected Grid Initiative</strong></a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Nuclear power currently supplies roughly 20% of U.S. electricity, but because of its reliability compared to wind and solar power and its potential to reduce carbon emissions, the industry is positioned to expand its role in reshaping the future of energy. When Southern Company officially connected Units 3 and 4 at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant to the grid, Georgia became home to the country’s largest nuclear power facility and to the first nuclear units built in the U.S. in more than 30 years.&nbsp;</p><p>With Georgia Tech alumni playing critical roles at the plant, students entering the field, and faculty conducting innovative research, the Institute’s influence can be felt throughout the industry.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://news.gatech.edu/features/2026/04/powering-future">Read more on the Georgia Tech Newscenter Page</a></p>]]></body>
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      <value>2026-04-29T00:00:00-04:00</value>
      <timezone><![CDATA[America/New_York]]></timezone>
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      <value><![CDATA[Georgia Tech’s influence on the Vogtle expansion spans alumni leadership at the plant, a growing student pipeline, and faculty conducting cutting‑edge nuclear research.]]></value>
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      <value><![CDATA[<p>Primarily driven by the rapid construction of data centers nationwide amid the artificial intelligence boom, total electricity usage in the United States is projected to grow by 32% by 2030, according to the <a href="https://gridstrategiesllc.com/wp-content/uploads/Grid-Strategies-National-Load-Growth-Report-2025.pdf"><strong>Connected Grid Initiative</strong></a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Nuclear power currently supplies roughly 20% of U.S. electricity, but because of its reliability compared to wind and solar power and its potential to reduce carbon emissions, the industry is positioned to expand its role in reshaping the future of energy. When Southern Company officially connected Units 3 and 4 at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant to the grid, Georgia became home to the country’s largest nuclear power facility and to the first nuclear units built in the U.S. in more than 30 years.&nbsp;</p><p>With Georgia Tech alumni playing critical roles at the plant, students entering the field, and faculty conducting innovative research, the Institute’s influence can be felt throughout the industry.&nbsp;</p>]]></value>
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            <title><![CDATA[vogtle34-2.jpg]]></title>
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                  <image_alt><![CDATA[Plant Vogtle Aerial View]]></image_alt>
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      <email><![CDATA[steven.gagliano@gatech.edu]]></email>
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      <value><![CDATA[<p><a href="mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu">Steven Gagliano</a></p>]]></value>
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