TVA shuffling nuclear chiefs

Monday, August 8, 2011

photo Mike Skaggs, 51, is the head of the utility's nuclear development and construction team.
photo Ashok Bhatnagar, left, senior vice president of new power generation for TVA, answers questions from members of the media about new construction of a second reactor on Friday before a press tour of the Tennessee Valley Authority power plant.

TVA announced today that the head of the utility's nuclear development and construction team is retiring, and Sequoyah Nuclear Plant's manager will rise to take the seat.

Ashok S. Bhatnagar, 55, is leaving his position as vice president of Nuclear Generation Development & Construction on Oct. 1, TVA announced.

Mike Skaggs, 51, has been named to take his place and the two already are working together on a two-month transition, according to TVA Chief Operating Officer Bill McCollum.

The move also corresponds with a reassessment of ongoing and future work to build a nuclear reactor at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant near Spring City, Tenn., the only reactor currently under construction in the United States, McCollum said.

Watts Bar unit two is slightly behind in its "ambitious" five-year construction schedule, he said.

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