President Bush to Visit Browns Ferry

From the Decatur Daily:

Athens is to experience a first in its history when the nation's president visits Thursday.

A White House spokesman confirmed that President Bush will be in Athens at 1:15 p.m. to tour the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant and make remarks.

Limestone County archivist Philip Reyer said to his knowledge, a sitting president has never visited Athens.

Although local officials could not say if Bush initiated the visit, it is part of an effort by Bush to push long-stalled energy legislation in Congress. Bills in both the Senate and House include provisions designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Bush has said nuclear power is one of the best ways to reduce such emissions, especially the carbon dioxide most scientists believe contributes to global warming.

The restart of Unit 1 in May made Browns Ferry one of the largest nuclear plants in the country. The unit, shut down in 1985, is going through a gradual power increase and review process.

You'll remember back in 2005 that President Bush visited Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.