Progress Energy continues to push its proposal through the Florida Public Service Commission for a second nuclear power located in Levy County eight miles from the existing nuke plant in Crystal River. A decision is expected in July, which means that, if approved, the actual plant construction is still years away.
Meanwhile on the Florida's east coast, Florida Power & Light proposes the largest solar-powered plant outside of California to be build in Martin County. The facility would consume over 500 acres and would provide electricity to up to 11,000 homes. As a solar-thermal system, it would use mirrored troughs to collect sunlight, which is concentrated on heat-collection elements. These super heated elements would be used to create steam. The steam would then be used to power FP & L's existing gas-fired plant.
FP & L is also looking at a 25 megawatt photovoltaic plant in DeSoto County and a 10 megawatt plant on land leased from NASA. The company hopes to start building all three projects by the end of the year if their projects are approved by the Public Service Commission.
The company proposes to recoup its investment by raising customer rates by an estimated 83 cents per bill. (F P & L has also requested a $2.51 increase per month to cover the expansion of its two nuclear plants in south Florida.)
Other photovoltaic projects have been proposed in Orange County and Polk County and by the Florida Municipal Power Agency which is owned by municipal power companies and sells power wholesale.
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Update--
Florida Power & Light also has proposed to erect six turbines on its property near the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant. Opponents have criticized the proposal, saying it doesn't make economic sense, could harm wildlife and the local environment and would negatively impact the quality of life, among other concerns.
Currently, the proposal is under local land use and environmental review by St. Lucie County.
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