Crist, Cabinet OK new nuclear plant plans
TALLAHASSEE (AP) – Despite some passionate pleas from environmentalists, Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday unanimously approved Progress Energy’s bid to build a nuclear power plant in Levy County.
But their approval is just an early step in a long process before the company can actually begin construction of a plant that wouldn’t begin operating for about 10 years at the earliest.
“Our energy policy should prioritize clean energy solutions technologies that deliver safe, reliable and secure electricity supplies at a reasonable cost,” said Brad Ashwell, consumer advocate for the Florida Public Interest Research Group. He called the Cabinet’s decision “a step in the wrong direction.”
Progress Energy still requires approval from environmental regulators and the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission before it can begin construction on a 3,100-acre plot in Levy County about 10 miles north of Crystal River and eight miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico.
Crist, Attorney General Bill McCollum and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, sitting as the Florida Power Plant Siting Board, were told construction would take approximately five years after the permitting process and any follow-up litigation.
“The proposal of nuclear power is basically a slap in the face of people who are fighting for renewable truly clean energy options,” said Panagioti Tsolkas of the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition, which later protested the vote outside the historic Old Capitol.
State Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel-Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, was among several other members of the public who spoke against it.
“We can do more in Florida to produce truly clean, safe and renewable energy,” she said. “Nuclear production, transportation across state lines, and permanent disposal are fraught with potential legal liability and risks to our national security.”
The proposed plant, the first in Florida since 1976, would consist of two 1,100-megawatt nuclear powered units.
The Florida Public Service Commission approved the new plant a year ago, along with two new nuclear generators at the Turkey Point facility in South Florida.
“We’re in a unique position to be a leader in energy diversification for our country,” Crist said afterward.
Crist conceded that he’s not comfortable with Progress’ customers having to bear too much of the building costs in advance.
“There needs to be investment by the company,” Crist said afterward. “I would encourage the company to keep the rates as low as possible.”
Progress wants to collect roughly $7.50 a month per 1,000 kilowatt hours from its existing customer base to begin recovering its costs for building the new units.
The Raleigh, N.C.-based company serves about 1.7 million customers in Florida, mostly in the Tampa Bay area, the Orlando suburbs and the Big Bend region stretching along the Gulf of Mexico.