Energy Secretary Steven Chu says the construction of America's first new nuclear plant in a generation in Georgia will influence whether other utilities nationwide follow suit by investing in new reactors.

Chu told reporters Wednesday after touring the construction site at Plant Vogtle that completing the $14 billion project on time and within its budget would tell other power companies that new nuclear plants make "a good investment."

Chu's visit to east Georgia comes a week after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a license for the Southern Co. to build a third and fourth reactor at Plant Vogtle. They will be the first commercial reactors built in the U.S. in more than 30 years.

Construction on the site started two years ago with about $4 billion already spent.

Tags: energy, Plant Vogtle, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, new nuclear plant