FPL secures extension for Turkey Point nuclear plant until 2050s

Florida Power & Light has received federal approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the operational licenses of its Turkey Point nuclear plant in Miami-Dade County until 2052 and 2053 for Units 3 and 4, respectively. This decision follows a supplemental environmental review mandated by the commission in 2022, which initially deemed the environmental assessment inadequate. The review process included consideration of requests from environmental groups for a hearing, but ultimately, no contested matters remained for resolution. The approval comes at a time when Florida is exploring the expansion of nuclear energy, with state lawmakers and regulators assessing the feasibility of new nuclear power plants after decades without new reactors. The Florida Public Service Commission is currently analyzing advanced nuclear technology, which could include both large power plants and smaller reactors suitable for military or industrial use. A report on this feasibility study is expected by April. In addition to the license renewals, FPL has made progress toward potentially constructing two additional reactors at Turkey Point, known as Units 6 and 7. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission had previously approved combined operating licenses for these new reactors in 2018, although FPL has yet to move forward with construction. The utility continues to file quarterly reports regarding potential joint ownership of these new units with other utilities. Nuclear energy currently accounts for approximately 13% of Florida's electricity generation. However, the state has not seen the introduction of new nuclear plants since the 1970s and 1980s, and the closure of the Crystal River nuclear plant in 2013 by Duke Energy Florida highlights the challenges faced in the nuclear sector.