Unfortunately, the Atomic Safety & Licensing Board of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) did not rule in our favor regarding our challenge to the expansion of Florida Power & Light’s Turkey Point nuclear facility. We maintain that FPL’s plan to dispose of wastewater via injection wells is flawed and continue to oppose the expansion of this facility along with our partners at the Turner Environmental Law Clinic, The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, and the National Parks Conservation Association. Read more about our case and the recent NRC ruling in the Miami Herald.
FPL still faces additional hurdles in their misguided bid to expand Turkey Point. The City of Miami, the Village of Pinecrest, and the City of South Miami are challenging the expansion of Turkey Point before the NRC on the basis that “Florida Power & Light Co. doesn’t have the financial ability to complete the proposed Turkey Point 6 and 7 nuclear reactors.” Read more about this case in the Palm Beach Post. FPL must also obtain a dredge and fill permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fill hundreds of acres of wetlands to accommodate its planned expansion.
As The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy‘s Sara Barczak recently told the Miami New Times, “We are disappointed but not surprised by the (Atomic Safety & Licensing) Board’s decision, which doesn’t change the fact that these expensive, water-intensive reactors at Turkey Point are unneeded, poorly planned, and the builder, Westinghouse, is bankrupt. FPL’s proposal (is) speculative and clearly a bad economic deal for FPL customers.” The fight continues…we’ll keep you posted!