Mayors urge Florida officials to repeal state law that allows utilities to charge customers for planned nuclear power plants before they are operational and even if they are never built

Rachel Carter

TALLAHASSEE, Florida , October 21, 2011 (Associated Press) – Mayors lead opposition to letting Fla. utilities charge customers for future nuclear plants

The mayors of South Miami and Pinecrest are leading a campaign against nuclear cost recovery charges.

Florida law lets utilities charge customers for planned nuclear power plants before they are operational and even if they never get built. South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard and Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner on Thursday urged that it be repealed. They also are against $337 million in nuclear fees proposed for 2012. The Public Service Commission will consider them Monday.

Florida Power & Light Co., a unit of NextEra Energy Inc., is asking for $196 million. Progress Energy Florida, a unit of Progress Energy Inc., wants $141 million. Stoddard said consumers are being charged for unproven nuclear designs that will double the price of electricity.

Biscayne Park and the Miami-Dade League of Cities also have passed resolutions opposing the fees.

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