Federal Regulator Holds Public Meetings Thursday to Discuss FPL’s Proposal to Operate Turkey Point Nuclear Plant for Decades Longer
Citizens, Organizations Gather to Express Concerns about Federal Licensing
Contact: Laura Reynolds, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, 786-543-1926
What: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is holding important public meetings this Thursday, May 31 in Homestead, Florida to hear from residents, communities, organizations, elected officials and businesses regarding FPL’s plan to operate their two nuclear reactors at Turkey Point for another 20 years beyond the current license expiration of 2033. FPL is the first utility in the country to submit a Subsequent License Renewal Application (SLRA). If approved, FPL could operate the reactors for an unprecedented 80 years, until 2053. The public is encouraged to attend and comment.
Local organizations are concerned about FPL’s plan to continue operating the failing cooling canal system that is polluting Biscayne Bay and threatening the region’s drinking water aquifer. They argue that if FPL wants to run Turkey Point for decades longer, the utility should be required to use current technology, such as cooling towers, to protect drinking water resources, neighboring Biscayne National Park and ongoing Everglades restoration efforts. The NRC will consider public comments as they develop a draft Environmental Impact Statement.
When & Where:
The NRC will hold two identical meetings.
First Session: 1-3 pm EDT; open house 12-1pm EDT
Second Session: 5-7 pm EDT; open house 4-5pm EDT
Homestead City Hall, 100 Civic Court, Homestead, Florida, 33030
Who: Local residents and advocates, including Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, will be available for media interviews regarding the concerns an additional 20 years of operation at Turkey Point poses to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks and surrounding communities.
How: The public can sign up to speak at the meetings; a sign-up sheet will be available on a first-come-first-to-speak basis. Find the NRC’s official public meeting notice here and FPL’s application here. The NRC is accepting written comments until June 21, 2018. Public comments should reference Docket ID NRC-2018-0101 and can be submitted online or by regular mail: May Ma, Office of Administration, Mail Stop: TWFN-7- A60M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555- 0001.
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