DOE Chief Visits SC, Touts Nuclear And Green Power

    AIKEN, S.C. (AP) - The Energy Department’s top official says a new project at South Carolina’s Savannah River Site will help the environment and create new jobs.
    U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu attended a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for a $795 million biomass facility at the old nuclear weapons complex near Aiken.
    Chu says 800 workers will be needed to build a new steam-generating station which will burn 322,000 tons of wood products and shredded tires annually.
    The station is scheduled to open in December 2011 and will replace a coal-fired facility. Estimates show the project will save $34 million a year in energy and maintenance costs.
    Chu also visited a General Electric plant in Greenville, and emphasized that President Barack Obama is committed to nuclear power.