ENERGY AND THE PUBLIC PROCESS

Public comment on the biomass plant proposal in Tallahassee allowed citizens to voice their concerns, albeit after some rangling with all parties involved who originally took the stance that the public input had already been provided.

The City of Gainesville utilities canceled a second coal plant as a result of citizen's public meetings. This week, the Orlando Sentinel reported that Orlando Utilities were pursing nuclear power in behind closed door sessions and the Orlando Utilities Commission was quoted as saying that negotiating to buy part of the proposed Progress Energy nuclear power plant to be located in Levy County was being "kept confidential."

The Orlando Peace and Justice and Florida Consumer Action Network (FCAN) organizers protested outside the Commission's offices on Tuesday, demanding that the City pursue solar and other forms of renewable energy.

The FCAN is also organizing against utilities' ability to raise customer rates now to pay for investments to build nuclear plants in the future.

Posted in: community organizing,nuclear power plants,Orlando Utilities