Prevent Building New Reactors in Florida

FED UP WITH RISING ELECTRIC BILLS FOR NEW REACTORS?
TELL THE FL PSC YOUR CONCERNS! HEARINGS BEGIN AUGUST 24, 2010!

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy has been fighting against Florida utility plans to build up to four risky new nuclear reactors while advocating for safe, clean and affordable energy choices that can reduce global warming pollution now including energy efficiency and conservation, wind, solar and bioenergy. With an already high reliance on nuclear power in Florida and with both Progress Energy of Florida and Florida Power and Light pursuing high cost new reactors, the time is now to take action.

TAKE ACTION

SACE has intervened at the Florida Public Service Commission over the past years to stop Progress and Florida Power & Light (FPL) from building new reactors in Florida. In June 2010, SACE filed to intervene in the 2010 Nuclear Cost Recovery Clause docket at the FL PSC. Once again, Progress and FPL are asking the PSC to approve more than $200 mllion in combined costs for pursuing new reactors and forcing the ratepayers to pay these costs in advance due to bad state legislation passed in 2006. SACE expert witnesses, economist Dr. Mark Cooper, and experienced nuclear engineer, Mr. Arnold Gundersen, submitted their testimony in July. Listen to the August media teleconference discussing their testimony, SACE's concerns and the "We Told You So" message. Hearings begin August 24, 2010 in Tallahassee at the FL PSC.

In 2009, SACE intervened in the 2009 Nuclear Cost Recovery Clause process that reviews both Progress' Levy Co. proposal and FPL's effort to build two new reactors at their existing Turkey Point nuclear plant near Miami. SACE experts urged the PSC to reject FPL & Progress' scheme to charge customers nearly half a billion dollars for early cost recovery. This was discussed in a media teleconference, listen here. Unfortunately, the PSC staff issued a recommendation that provided the utilities with nearly all they asked for. The PSC Commissioners voted 3-1 to approve FPL and Progress' scheme in October. Commissioner Argenziano was the sole dissenting vote. SACE filed information with the FL PSC highlighting the serious safety concerns the Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced with the Toshiba-Westinghouse AP1000 reactor design. In late October, SACE requested oral argument to discuss the AP1000 concerns. In November, the PSC issued the final order.

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SACE also challenged Progress Energy of Florida's application before the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to certify an undeveloped site in Levy County where the utility proposes to build two new nuclear reactors. Progress filed the application in 2008 and the Siting Board, which consists of Governor Crist and his cabinet, voted unanimously to approve Progress' application on August 11, 2009.