During the next two and a half years, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission will decide if Burke County's Plant Vogtle should expand.

Dave Matthews of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said, "All the studies we've done is that the risk is extremely low."

The four billion dollar proposed project would furnish the plant with two more nuclear reactors, bringing a total of four to the complex.

Georgia power officials say the project would also bring jobs and boost the local economy.

"We could have a couple hundred contractors for the construction phase and then another 800 or so permanent workers that would manage the reactor once it comes on-line," Georgia Power spokeswoman Carol Boatright said.

Waynesboro resident Beverly Black has called Burke County home for more than 20 years.

Black says she's excited about the possibility of growth.

"It'll put a lot of employment, it'll bring more tax base because it makes the plant more valuable in property assets," Black said.

But some environmentalists think the expansion is dangerous, not only to Burke County, but surrounding states.

"We have safety concerns, security concerns. Nuclear power posses a unique security risk. We have terrorist issues and day to day safety concerns," environmentalist Sara Barczak said.

Barczak says her alternative to nuclear energy is being more resourceful with today's power.

"Let's do everything we can do squeeze as much energy as we can out of each kilowatt hour before we look at building a new plant," Barczak said.

If approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the first reactor wouldn't open until at least 2015, with the second going online by 2016.

A Georgia Power spokesman says customers would see a slight increase in their power bill to offset the 4-billion dollar price tag of the reactors.