Florida Gives Green Light to New Turkey Point Reactors
A panel headed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott has approved the construction of two new reactors at the Turkey Point Nuclear Plant, along with their associated transmission infrastructure.
Under a state law, the certification granted by the Power Plant Siting Board also amounts to approval for the project from all state agencies and local land use authorities. The Miami Herald reported Tuesday that Scott and three other officials voted unanimously in favor of the new power generation and an additional 88 miles of transmission lines. Nearby communities had opposed the placement of new transmission towers, and Miami's city attorney told the paper the city plans to challenge the project in district court.
The new reactors still require approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Florida Power and Light in 2009 applied for a combined license to build two Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at the plant south of Miami. According to the NRC, the schedule for the COL's safety evaluation report is under review. Delivery of a draft environmental impact statement is tentatively scheduled for early 2015.
http://www.nucnet.org/all-the-news/2014/05/14/florida-gives-go-ahead-for-two-new-reactors-at-turkey-point