When the first U.S. nuclear expansion in more than 20 years was proposed by Georgia Power as a new generation power plant, GDS’ nuclear engineer, Dr. William R. Jacobs, Jr., said the project had the potential of being of utmost importance in the global nuclear-energy industry.
Jacobs, recognized as a nuclear power construction expert, also warned about the contractor’s lack of a complete project schedule. For his position, Engineer News Record (ENR), an international industry publication, has named Jacobs as one of the Top 25 Newsmakers for making a difference in their industry and for the public in 2014. This is the 50th year for ENR’s coveted Award of Excellence.
“Nuclear power is a reliable and needed source of electrical power. The schedule and cost overruns of the past cannot be repeated. Builders must be transparent and provide accurate information to the public and the engineering and construction industry,” Jacobs insists.
Dr. Jacobs joined GDS in 1986, and he has worked on nuclear power plant projects in the Philippines, South Korea, the former Yugoslavia and in the United States. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Masters of Science and his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from Georgia Tech.