More nuclear power coming to Florida
Last week, the Florida Cabinet approved Progress Energy Florida’s site request for construction of a nuclear facility in Levy County. The plant is the first nuclear facility approved in Florida since 1976.
The Cabinet vote marks the second in a series of three approvals needed before construction can begin. Last year, the Florida Public Service Commission approved the “needs case” for the plant. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) must also weigh in. A decision is anticipated by early 2012.
If built, the Levy nuclear power plant would employ 800 full-time, high-paying positions and create 1,000 – 2, 000 indirect jobs, with 3,000 people employed at the height of construction. The plant would be one of the first nuclear plants in the country to be constructed on a greenfield site in more than 30 years, and would be one of the largest transmission infrastructure projects in Florida’s history.
Currently, more than 100 nuclear reactors supply roughly 20 percent of the electricity used in the United States. By comparison, France generates more than 80 percent of its electricity from nuclear power.
BOTTOM LINE:
This announcement is a huge step towards Florida’s clean energy future. With fuel prices again on the rise, nuclear power provides a less expensive and cleaner avenue to meet Florida and America’s growing energy needs. State and federal officials should continue to work together to further expedite permitting to get these new plants on line and lessen our dependence on foreign oil.
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Posted by admin
on Aug 17 2009. Filed under Business, Employment, Environmental, New businesses.
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