ADVISORY: FPL to Get Pushback on its Request to Keep Customers on the Financial Hook for Speculative Nuclear Reactors

Guest Blog | August 14, 2017 | Press Releases

Contact: Jennifer Rennicks, SACE, 865-235-1448, [email protected]

 

Tallahassee, Fla. – Tomorrow, on Tuesday, August 15 at 1:15 p.m. ET, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will consider Florida Power and Light’s (FPL) request to find it “reasonable” to pursue licenses for its speculative Turkey Point 6 & 7 nuclear reactors – and recover costs from customers. Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) and other consumer parties are challenging FPL’s request. This unfair request continues to keep all the financial risk of construction on customers for an increasingly speculative project.

FPL claims it plans to build the two proposed nuclear reactors, but it will not commit to actually build them – it will not even commit to a price tag. In fact, there is no construction company to build these reactors after Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy in March of this year. The reactor project is so speculative that FPL cannot say whether it would even be a good deal for customers. Yet, it wants to continue to pursue licenses for this risky project, rack up millions of dollars in costs and profit, and have customers pay the final tab – regardless of whether the reactors ever get built.

Along with SACE, other parties challenging FPL’s request include the Office of Public Counsel, Florida Retail Federation, and Florida Industrial Power Users Group. Over 400 FPL customers have filed letters in the docket calling on the Commission to reject FPL’s heavy-handed and unprecedented request.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 1:15 p.m. ET

WHERE: The hearing can be followed online on the Public Service Commission Website (Docket No. 20170009) at: http://www.psc.state.fl.us/Conferences/AudioVideoEventCoverage

WHAT: Day 1 of the annual nuclear cost recovery clause hearing – which will include opening statements by the parties.

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About Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that work to address the impacts of global climate change and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org.