Don’t Nuke Florida!

The Florida Legislature is currently focusing on two issues that will directly affect whether new nuclear power plants will be built in Florida.

On Friday, March 20, 2009 we are staging a state-wide call in day to say “DON’T NUKE FLORIDA!” and advise our elected representatives on the following issues:

1. Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS)-This is a GOOD thing, we want this because it will fulfill Florida’s goal to have 20% renewable energy by 2020. But, we want to make sure they DO NOT include nuclear in their definition of “Renewable.” If this happens, the proposed nuclear plants will meet that demand and greatly reduce the chances to get truly renewable, safe, and affordable energy for Florida.

2. Early Cost Recovery- This is a BAD thing! In 2008, the Florida Public Service Commission approved a special nuclear tax that utilities can collect from their customers to subsidize the cost of new nuclear power plants in central Florida and the Miami area. Beginning January of 2009, the average Progress Energy bill increased 25%. This means customers ar e footing the cost of nuclear energy that is not projected to go online until 2017!

In short: We are FOR new renewable energy and a state standard that will mandate 20% renewable energy by 2020 – and we are AGAINST subsidies for nuclear power – whether it be by falsely declaring it “renewable” and giving it subsidies that should be for wind and solar, or whether the subsidies come from the special “early cost recovery tax.” We want really clean, safe energy – not nuclear dressed up in windmill pajamas!

What Can You Do?

Go to: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/
Find your Representative (4th gray box in Left hand column).
Call them and make your voice heard! This can be as simple as:

“Hey, I just want to let Rep ___ know that I support the RPS and oppose subsidizing nuclear by including it in the RPS or with Early Cost Recovery.”

Go to: http://www.flsenate.gov
And repeat above! Its that simple. By telling your legislators your views, you are helping them make informed decisions about how to best represent interests. This is how democracy works for all of us!