15 Oct (NucNet): Florida�s Public Service Commission (PSC) yesterday approved plans to allow the state�s two largest utilities to collect more than 600 million US dollars (USD) (441 million euro) next year in costs for new nuclear reactor units expected to be online in eight to 10 years.

The PSC said it had given the go-ahead for cost recovery for the construction of proposed new nuclear plants and upgrades to existing nuclear plants for Florida Power & Light (FPL) and Progress Energy Florida (PEF). Costs will be recovered from customers from a charge on their electricity bills beginning in January 2009.

�We are encouraging utility investment in nuclear electric generation today to ensure Florida�s residents have reliable power for tomorrow,� said PSC chairman Matthew Carter.

During 2009, FPL will recover USD 220.5 million for the uprate of existing nuclear plants at Turkey Point and St. Lucie and for proposed new nuclear units 6 and 7 at Turkey Point. Completion of these projects will add 2,614 megawatts of new nuclear baseload generation to FPL�s system. The new Turkey Point units 6 and 7 are expected to come online in 2018 and 2020.
An FPL customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month will pay about USD 2.13 extra every month.

PEF will recover USD 418 million for the uprate of its existing Crystal River nuclear plant and its proposed new nuclear plant in southern Levy County. The company has purchased about 2,000 hectares in southern Levy County for the potential construction of two nuclear reactors and associated transmission needs.

Completion of these projects will add 2,380 MW of new nuclear baseload generation to PEF�s system. The new Levy units 1 and 2 are expected to come online in 2016 and 2017.

>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)

Progress Energy Submits COL For Possible Florida Units (News in Brief No. 85, 4 August 2008)

FPL Seeks Approval For Uprates (News in Brief No. 27, 9 September 2007)

Florida Commission Gives Go-Ahead For Proposed Turkey Point Units (News in Brief No. 32, 19 March 2008)

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