SCE&G has received state approval from the South Carolina Public Service Commission on plans to build two new nuclear reactors near Columbia. But the utility must still get final approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a process that could take up to three years.

Read more stories on this subject in our nuclear topic page.However, the utility will be raising electric rates a total of 37% (in yearly 2.5% increments) for the $9.8 billion plants -- the first hike of 0.4% is to hit this March.

Go get some analysis at The State, and lots of facts from the press release.