FPL To Build Two Nuclear Units, Expand Existing Capacity [Turkey Pt. & St. Lucie]

FPL To Build Two Nuclear Units, Expand Existing Capacity
Wednesday 08/15/2007 5:43 PM ET - Dow Jones News

NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- FPL Group Inc. (FPL) said Wednesday it plans to build two new nuclear reactors at its Turkey Point nuclear power plant in Florida by 2020 in an effort to meet rising electricity demand in the state and diversify the company's fuel mix.

FPL said it also plans to expand the power capacity of existing reactors at Turkey Point and at St. Lucie, the company's other nuclear power plant in Florida, by 2012. FPL intends to file proposals for the projects with state and federal regulators by the end of the third quarter.

The new reactors would add 3,000 megawatts of power to Florida's electricity grid, while the expansion of the existing units would add about 400 MW. One megawatt powers about 800 homes.

"These projects will meet the needs of our growing state by ensuring safe and reliable power," FPL President Armando Olivera said in a statement. The new units should improve electricity price stability for Florida consumers by reducing the state's reliance on volatile natural gas and oil prices, Olivera said.
FPL said its plans to build new nuclear units are still in the early stages, and the company hasn't yet made a final decision on whether to proceed with the projects. The proposals will require approvals from state and federal agencies, including the Florida Public Service Commission and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
FPL said in early 2006 that it planned to submit a combined construction and operating license to the NRC as a first step toward developing new nuclear generation.

Nuclear power provides about 20% of the electricity FPL delivers to its 4.4 million customers. The new projects will increase the nuclear share to 30% by 2020. At that time, FPL's customer base is expected to total 9.5 million customers.

The Turkey Point plant has two units that generate 693 MW each. The plant is in Homestead, Fla., about 30 miles southwest of Miami.

The dual-unit St. Lucie plant is located near Ft. Pierce, Fla., about 120 miles southeast of Orlando. Each of the plant's units generates 839 MW. The Turkey Point and St. Lucie plants are located within the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council, which oversees the electric reliability grid in the state. -By Christine Buurma, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2061; christine.buurma@dowjones.com

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08-15-07 1742ET
Copyright (c) 2007 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

There are sirens everywhere around the city. It scares the crap out of me. To think that they will expand this facility is outrageous. We are surrounded by water, why can't we start to use hydro-electricity?? We have sunshine 365 days a year, why can't we have solar power plants?? Why can't FPL get their head out of the sand??