“Florida can’t afford the costs of a massive new coal plant”

June 5, 2007
Sierra Club Release

The Florida Public Services Commission (PSC) voted June 5 to reject a proposal for one of the largest new coal-fired power plants in the United States.

The PSC, voting 4-0, with Commissioner Nancy Argenziano absent, denied a petition filed by Florida Power & Light to build a massive 1960 megawatt coal plant next to Lake Okeechobee at the headwaters of the Everglades. The proposed plant would likely have been one of the largest single new sources of carbon dioxide in the nation, accelerating climate change that is already harming Florida, its residents, and its ecosystems.

In rejecting FP&L's petition, the PSC agreed with environmental intervenors that Florida can meet its energy needs with cleaner, less costly options. The PSC determined that the proposed plant was not cost-effective, particularly because it will expose Florida ratepayers to significant future costs for carbon dioxide emissions.

Rhonda Roff, Sierra Club member from Hendry County, and President of SING – Save It Now Glades, participated in the public testimony and provided excellent documentation for the record regarding water usage, toxic fly ash, mercury in the fish, and the power plant’s potential negative impact on the Everglades, the environment, wildlife, and people. She said, “Despite the back door manipulation by the local elected officials concerning the land use designation, and the lack of adequate public notice to the people, thank goodness the truth has prevailed. Now you can tell the FP&L coal burner folks to pack up their bags and go home!”

Susie Caplowe, Florida Chapter Sierra Club Governmental Affairs said, “Florida can meet its energy needs through 30% conservation and energy efficiency measures. That was our daily message to the Florida Legislature when they were promoting advanced cost recovery for a power plant technology that cannot capture and sequester carbon as the industry has claimed. The Florida PSC did right by Florida citizens today and voted down the dirty coal burning power plant that would have kept the state in the dark ages. We have a new day and new beginnings to truly seek clean energy alternatives and conservation measures.”

Joy Towles Ezell, Energy Chair of the Florida Chapter Sierra Club, ecstatic over the news that the “NeverGlades” coal burner had been turned down, said “This message from the PSC should be heard clearly by all power companies in Florida who are proposing coal fired power plants. The PSC was listening to all the issues, including the environmental and health cost issues brought forth during the proceedings. We are thankful that the PSC has made the right decision. The Taylor Energy Center, another coal burner proposed by the Florida Municipal Power Agency, Reedy Creek Improvement District (Disney), the Jacksonville Electric Authority, and the City of Tallahassee, (which, if built, could ultimately produce a total of 3200 megawatts) will be coming back to the PSC for a decision in a few months. We are encouraged by the PSC vote to deny the need for this dirty coal burner, and hope that this vote is duplicated in all upcoming coal fired power plant decisions in Florida.”

Environmental groups, Sierra Club, Save Our Creeks, Florida Wildlife Federation, Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, Natural Resources Defense Council, and individual Ellen Peterson intervened in the PSC needs determination proceedings, represented by Earthjustice. The environmental intervenors argued that Florida can meet its energy needs by improving energy efficiency and relying on clean renewable sources of energy. They also argued that the PSC must consider the inevitable costs that will be imposed on coal plants when the federal government acts to regulate carbon emissions.

Sierra Club staff attorney Joanne Spalding lauded the PSC decision, stating, "In rejecting FP&L's Everglades coal plant, the PSC recognized that Florida residents cannot afford the costs of a massive new coal plant that will emit millions of tons of carbon dioxide and hundreds of pounds of mercury each year, harming the Everglades and exacerbating the impacts of climate change."

Source: The Sierra Club

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