Posted on 08/15/2007 9:51:22 PM PDT by BenLurkin
JUNO BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Power & Light Co., a unit of energy company FPL Group Inc., said Wednesday it intends to expand its power production in Florida and will pursue building two new nuclear power units.
FPL proposes to add about 400 megawatts of power capacity to its existing nuclear power plants in Florida by 2012, pending regulatory approvals. The company also plans to pursue the addition of two new nuclear power units by 2020, which would add up to 3,000 megawatts of power to Florida's electric grid.
FPL estimates the additional nuclear power would keep 11 million tons of carbon dioxide out of the environment every year, helping the state meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gases.
The proposals, still in the early stages of development, will require extensive review and approvals from state and federal agencies, including the Public Service Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Will Governor Charlie “I think I’m Christ” Crist let them?
Perhaps our Florida FReepers have a sense of this.
In the 1980’s - I did some work at the 2 nuclear plants at St. Lucie - and also did a site survey at the 2 nuclear plants at Turkey Point.
4 Nuclear plants ...not bad. I hope this proceeds and doesn’t get blocked.
When the Turkey Point units were being planned, there was much obstruction, and attempts to block construction - and a final consideration, environmentalist didn’t want that warm water discharge to the ocean (after cooling the turbine condensers) - so some extremely long “cooling canals” were built that provided some time for additional cooling before the water entered the ocean.
Years later, some of the environmentalist filed suit to keep the 2 nuclear power plants from being shut down at the same time during the winter months. It seems that those cooling canals became wonderful habitat/sanctuary for manatees and other animals. The manatees “wintered over” in the canals. The environmentalist didn’t want the nuc plants shut down because of the adverse effects on the manatees. Go figure. Ultimately, one of the power plants was operated for many months at 50% power rather than 100% power in half the number of months. (That is not economical, and there are “costs” to the power company to keep the manatees warm!) Too bad the bill couldn’t be sent to the environmentalists!
Mike
Former Migrant Nuclear Worker
They should have been built long ago.
I’ve lived in Saint Lucie County for the last 25 years.
I knew guys that worked at the construction of the two nuke plants built here.
They told me of cocaine raffles that were going on in the parking lot during lunch and breaks.
So far no real problems at the two plants BUT ya gotta wonder.
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