State Report Backs Nuclear Power as Clean Energy

December 31, 2008

Palm Beach Post - By CHRISTINE STAPLETON

Florida's energy future should be "clean" - not just "renewable" - and
include nuclear power as a source of green energy, according to
recommendations from the staff of utility regulators released
Wednesday.

The 111-page report is the latest step in the debate over whether
power companies can count new nuclear power toward their obligation to
generate renewable energy.

See the report:
http://www.psc. state.fl. us/library/ filings/08/ 11975-08/ 080503.rcm. doc

The report follows months of lobbying by Florida Power & Light - the
state's largest utility and producer of nuclear power - to persuade
regulators to create a "Clean Energy Portfolio Standard" rather than a
"Renewable Portfolio Standard." Florida statues do not include nuclear
power in the definition of "renewable" energy. FPL generates no
renewable energy in Florida.

"With a clean-energy standard that includes new nuclear generation as
well as wind and solar, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce
costs, dampen fuel price volatility for customers, and meet aggressive
targets that should ultimately be adopted by the state, FPL spokesman
Mayco Villafana said.

Recent laws and an executive order signed by Gov. Charlie Crist in
2007 ordered the Public Service Commission to draft a "Renewable
Portfolio Standard" and set a timetable for utilities to generate 20
percent of their retail energy sales from renewable sources. Of the 27
states that have Renewable Portfolio Standards, Ohio is the only state
that includes nuclear power.

The report describes nuclear power as a "cornerstone of an energy
efficient Florida." Including nuclear power in the green energy mix
"could make it easier" for investor-owned utilities, such as FPL, to
meet an earlier deadline to go green. The target date for meeting the
20 percent goal should be 2041, according to the report. That date
would put Florida 16 years behind the other states with green energy
standards.

"The reason for having a faster Renewable Portfolio Standard - 20
percent by 2020 - is to stimulate growth in solar and other renewable
technologies, " said Eric Draper, the policy director of Audubon of
Florida. "By postponing the deadline they (commission staff) have
missed the opportunity to use the Renewable Portfolio Standard to
stimulate growth of a green economy in Florida."

The commission will consider the recommendations at a hearing on Jan.
9 and make recommendations to lawmakers Jan. 30. The Legislature will
decide the standard.

"The market is already taking off," said Susan Glickman, southern
regional director of The Climate Group. "A strong target is needed to
encourage investment and unleash those dollars. We need to get started
quickly."