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New Nuclear Generation – Frequently Asked QuestionsFPL has proposed the construction of two additional nuclear facilities at its existing Turkey Point generating complex in Miami – Turkey Point Units 6 and 7. FPL received zoning approval for the project from Miami-Dade County on Dec. 20, 2007. FPL also filed a Determination of Need petition with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) on Oct.16, 2007. The petition proposed to expand FPL's nuclear fleet by building two new nuclear units at the existing Turkey Point generating complex, a move that would add 2,200 megawatts of power to the Florida electric grid. On April 11, 2008, the PSC issued a final order approving Turkey Point Nuclear Units 6 and 7. Next review and approval steps for this project include a State Site Certification application and a Combined Construction and Operation Licensing application at the federal level with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The development of the application and the subsequent detailed review and approval process may take until 2012 or beyond. Other state and federal reviews and approvals may also take until 2012 or beyond. If the license is granted and all approvals are met, we believe Turkey Point Unit 6 could begin serving customers in 2018 and Turkey Point Unit 7 by 2020.
When and why did FPL file for a Determination of Need with the Florida Public Service Commission? On April 11, 2008, FPL received from the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) an affirmative Determination of Need for the construction of two additional nuclear generating units at FPL's existing Turkey Point power plant site. The need petition establishes the PSC's agreement that additional power is required to provide reliable, cost-effective power to FPL's customers, and that they approve of nuclear technology as a cost-effective source of power. It also begins a collaborative process with the PSC to approve and regularly evaluate the project for feasibility. The project will now be evaluated on a yearly basis, providing the PSC and our customers with assurances that it is cost-effective and prudent to continue. How much is electric demand growing? FPL currently has 4.5 million customers in 35 counties and projects it will need an additional 33 percent of power by 2020 to address its summer peak load. This is due to growth in our communities and increased electric usage by our customers. Energy Efficiency and Renewable ResourcesWhy not offset the demand with conservation efforts? Energy conservation does play an important role in addressing growing demand. In fact, FPL customers have helped defer the need for 12 power plants during the past two decades and our nationally recognized energy efficiency programs will offset about 26 percent of expected demand growth through 2015. Even so, energy conservation alone will not be enough to meet Florida's rapidly growing energy appetite. Have you considered other technologies such as renewables? Yes. We are committed to providing clean energy solutions to power our future and will continue our leadership as one of the country's cleanest, most environmentally conscious energy producers. That is why FPL is investing now to prepare for our electrical needs of tomorrow, with a balanced energy approach that includes renewables, nuclear and natural gas energy, reflecting our commitment to diversify and maximize energy resources, as well as protect our environment and our economy. Why NuclearWhy is FPL considering potential new nuclear units? Nuclear power is a reliable and affordable energy source that is capable of providing large amounts of electricity to meet Florida's increasing energy needs. Using nuclear energy means greater energy independence for Floridians, protecting us and our economy from being too reliant on any one source of fuel, including foreign oil. Nuclear power is a clean energy source that does not produce greenhouse gases. And finally, nuclear plants have been a proven power source for FPL customers for more than 30 years. They are also secure, since they are designed and operated with extensive safety and security guidelines to protect the public. Will Turkey Point Units 6 and 7 be all the new generation needed for the foreseeable future? No. FPL's need for additional capacity to serve customers in the 2018-2020 time period is much larger than the total output of the two additional nuclear plants FPL is considering. How does nuclear power help address reliability and fuel diversity to keep electric prices stable? Nuclear power is a reliable and affordable energy source capable of providing large amounts of electricity to meet Florida's increasing energy needs. Nuclear power plants reliably run 24/7 and operate for an average of 18 months before needing to refuel. The proposed facilities for Turkey Point Units 6 and 7 would add 2,200 MW of low-cost generation to our system. Nuclear power becomes a key player in a balanced and diverse approach to energy policy because of its low production costs and its ability to lessen our dependence on any one fuel source.
EnvironmentHow will the addition of new nuclear power plants impact the environment? Nuclear plants generate electricity without producing any greenhouse gases, so it is a technology that is available today to fight global warming and keep our air clean. In fact, over the years nuclear power has been key in avoiding large quantities of emissions.
What impact would the potential new nuclear facility have on the environment? Building a potential new nuclear generating facility here makes use of an existing plant site and minimizes the impact to the environment. More than 5,000 acres of the Turkey Point property would continue to be a haven for unique plant species and endangered or threatened birds and animals. Have you determined the water source for the proposed plant? We have not determined the water supply at this stage of the project, nor the details surrounding its usage. We are assessing various alternatives, including reclaimed water.
We can ensure that we will always be considerate of both the environment and community water needs. What effect does the power plant have on the American crocodile that lives in the canals? Cooling canals have provided a safe haven for the American crocodile, which recently was downlisted from endangered to threatened. In a biological opinion issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on May 5, 2006, the increase in the American crocodile population in South Florida over the last 25 years has been attributed to FPL's management activities in the cooling canals. The number of hatchlings increased from 20 in 1978 to more than 250 in 2006, and the total crocodile population is now about 400. This unique habitat has attracted national attention on documentaries by CNN Headline News, Disney, Animal Planet and National Geographic. FPL is committed to continue protecting the species and conducting crocodile research while encouraging ongoing public education. How many endangered species live near the plant? Does the new nuclear facility threaten these species? More than 60 species of birds and animals and 21 species of fish have a safe haven on the Turkey Point property. The proposed expansion of this facility will likely provide additional environmental benefits to the surrounding area. An example is our recent addition of Unit 5, which resulted in the restoration of a coastal lagoon area. Created with state and local agencies, Scout Lagoon is now a healthy and vital natural habitat for a wide range of plants and animals. I’ve heard that FPL is preserving land near Turkey Point. Can you explain that program? FPL has established the Florida Everglades Mitigation Bank, where nearly 13,500 acres of wetlands are being returned to their natural, historical condition. This area is home to more than 38 species of wildlife, including 12 endangered and nine threatened species. Many years ago, FPL purchased this land and zoned the site for future power plant expansion. We believe that preserving this site as a mitigation bank will best serve Florida citizens and our company goals because of the ecological value of the site. The TechnologyWhat kind of nuclear technology is proposed for the potential new nuclear generating facility? After carefully reviewing the options, FPL chose an advanced design from Westinghouse called the AP 1000 as its preferred technology. The Westinghouse reactor has received Design Certification from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It is based on a proven design that provides safe, reliable and cost-effective generation today. FPL has not signed a contract. We are currently discussing the scope of the work, the cost and the schedule with Westinghouse. Key features of third-generation reactors include:
How much nuclear-based capacity does FPL currently have? At present the four nuclear units in FPL's fleet provide more than 3,000 MW of energy. This represents 20 percent of the energy FPL currently provides to its 4.5 million customer accounts, or approximately 8 million people in Florida. FPL will be increasing its existing capacity by 414 MW through improvements to the existing equipment. What is FPL’s experience with nuclear power? FPL has nearly 35 years of experience in the safe and secure operation of nuclear reactors. The company currently operates four nuclear reactors in Florida: two at Turkey Point and two at the St. Lucie generating complex near Fort Pierce. FPL Energy, FPL’s sister company, owns significant interests in the Seabrook Station plant in New Hampshire, the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa and Point Beach Nuclear Generating Station in Wisconsin. What impact will this have on my bill? The impact will be negligible. Customers will see small increases in their bills while a nuclear plant is in the planning and construction phase – the impact for 2009 is approximately 2 percent – but those costs are more than offset by fuel savings over the life of the plant. Nuclear power is an investment in the future. By paying modest amounts now, we ensure a future of abundant clean energy at low, stable prices. Transmission LinesWhat new transmission facilities will be needed to connect the new units to the electrical grid that serves FPL customers? Turkey Point Units 6 and 7 would be connected to the electrical grid using a combination of existing lines and a limited number of new transmission lines, substations and switchyards, as required to deliver safe and reliable power to our customers. Transmission lines would be connected from the plant through corridors, most of which FPL already owns or has the easements. The SiteWhere exactly is the proposed site? The facility is in southern Miami-Dade County, about 25 miles south of Miami. Why was this particular site chosen? FPL conducted an extensive evaluation of more than a dozen sites before selecting Turkey Point as a potential site for a new nuclear power plant. Among the benefits of this site are:
Would Miami-Dade County residents receive electricity from the potential new nuclear facility at Turkey Point? Yes. However, since FPL’s electric grid is interconnected, all of FPL’s electric customers would benefit from the addition of this safe, clean and reliable source of power generation. Economic BenefitsHow would a potential new nuclear generating facility at Turkey Point benefit the local economy? The new nuclear facilities at Turkey Point would offer a substantial economic stimulus to Miami-Dade County and the local community during construction and operation, through payroll, property taxes and local service contracts and purchases worth millions of dollars. There would be job opportunities for thousands of skilled workers during construction. Once completed, the new facility would result in hundreds of additional full-time, high-wage jobs. Would these jobs be available to Miami-Dade County residents? Yes. FPL is committed to workforce development and to providing employment opportunities for qualified local workers. FPL also would require the contractor responsible for building the plant to advertise jobs locally. How much will the new facility cost? Developing and applying a reasonable range of potential factors, FPL’s non-binding cost estimate has determined an overnight capital cost range than can vary from approximately $3,100 to $4,500 per KW. Public Safety and HealthYes. Nuclear power plants are designed and operated with extensive safety and security guidelines to ensure your protection, and have multiple backup safety systems to prevent the potential for human error. Safety is the top priority for FPL's nuclear fleet.
What will you do about used nuclear fuel at the site? FPL will continue to manage the on-site storage of used fuel safely and reliably as it has for the past 30 years. The used fuel is moved from the reactor and is stored in pools of water inside containment structures. FPL will take steps to expand its onsite storage capability in 2012 using a system known as dry storage, in which the spent fuel is housed in leak-proof concrete containers and stored safely on site. The used fuel will be protected with extensive security measures and will be protected from natural disasters such as hurricanes or fires and from man-made sources, such as jet aircraft. Like all U.S. nuclear power plants, used fuel will be stored temporarily at Turkey Point until the federal government completes a permanent repository for disposal. Next StepsHow long would it take to build a new nuclear facianlity once a decision is made to build? From beginning to end, the siting, licensing and construction of Turkey Point Unit 6 could be completed in 2018 and Unit 7 in 2020. Will there be opportunities for public input? Yes. In addition to FPL’s community outreach, there are opportunities for public input through the state licensing application and the federal licensing process with the NRC for new nuclear power plants. There also are comprehensive processes in place for governmental organizations and environmental agencies to review and approve any plans for future nuclear power plants to ensure they meet strict regulatory standards and are protective of the environment. How can area residents learn more about the potential new nuclear power plant at Turkey Point? FPL is committed to sharing information about the potential addition of a new nuclear generating facility at Turkey Point with the community. Our outreach efforts include local presentations, updates, a Web site and one-on-one discussions. |
