Vogtle Construction Monitor William Jacobs Provides Key Insights

In terms of national importance, Georgia Power's $14-billion-plus Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion project nearly stands alone. At a 2014 ceremony finalizing the project's $6.5 billion in federal loan guarantees, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz noted as much when he said, "This energy infrastructure build-out is not only for Georgia, not only for the United States, but for the world."

Photo courtesy Georgia Power

The Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion project has experienced significant delays to date, and continues to face schedule challenges.

JACOBS

Initial industry hopes for the first U.S. nuclear expansion in more than 20 years held that contractors could overcome past schedule and cost concerns. But the reality has fallen far short, as nuclear-construction expert William Jacobs has repeatedly and unflinchingly pointed out to the Georgia Public Service Commission. Recently, for instance, he called out the contractor's lack of a credible project schedule as "counter to any prudent project management" and bottom-lined what no one else would admit: It is impossible to determine when this project will be completed.

"Only [Jacobs] gives a balanced presentation of the facts," says Jim McGaughy, consultant and founder of GDS Associates, Jacobs' employer. "The feeling when this project started was that it would be different this time with a new generation of nuclear projects. So far, it is not much different."

In a statement to ENR, Jacobs says the project is "of utmost importance" to the global nuclear-energy industry and reiterates his insistence that builders "be transparent and provide accurate information to the public and the engineering and construction industry."

For providing the construction and engineering industry—and the general public—with these important insights about this critical national project, ENR has recognized Jacobs as one of this year's 25 Newsmakers.

Scott Judy is Deputy Editor for Regions, and editor of ENR Southeast, one of Engineering News-Record's 10 Regional publications. His roughly 27 years as a construction journalist began with an 11-year stint covering Midwest construction projects. In 2000, Judy helped launch the publication now known as ENR Southeast. He often delves into controversial aspects of the construction industry such as bankruptcies and fatal accidents, and wishes he would never have to cover another accident but suspects that he might.