Press Mention Creative Loafing Tampa November 26, 2012
Topical Mention
Consumer advocates outraged as Florida PSC approves another $293 million rate increase for nuke plants
In this mention
The Florida Public Service Commission approved nearly $300 million in advance nuclear costs for FP&L and Progress Energy, drawing criticism from state Rep. Mike Fasano and consumer advocates who oppose ratepayers funding nuclear plants that may never be completed. The decision includes $151 million for FP&L and $142 million for Progress Energy's Crystal River and Levy County projects, which have faced significant delays and technical problems.
I have long opposed the collection of any fees for advance nuclear cost recovery. Today's decision to approve $142 million is yet another poke in the eye to the customers who may never see anything in return.
SACE
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Full transcript
- Dwight Dudley
A lot of Florida citizens are fed up about the state law that allows energy companies like Progress to hit up taxpayers for money that would go toward nuclear power plants that may never see the light of day.
That anger manifested itself once again on Monday, after the state's Public Service Commission approved nearly $300 million in advance nuclear costs for Florida Power & Light Company (FP&L) and Progress Energy. The breakdown was $151 million for FP&L's plants, and $142 million for Progress Energy's plants in Crystal River and Levy County.
"I have long opposed the collection of any fees for advance nuclear cost recovery," said New Port Richey state Rep. Mike Fasano in a press release. "Today's decision to approve $142 million is yet another poke in the eye to the customers who may never see anything in return. From the botched repairs in Crystal River to the long-term problems associated with siting Levy County's reactor, the customers may ultimately be paying for something that will never materialize. Even if years pass and one or both of these plants ever come online, the amount invested will take decades to be recouped. I fear that few who are paying the advance nuclear cost recovery fee today will ever benefit from their forced contribution towards these projects."