Rehwinkel Vasilinda Again Seeks to Block Nuclear Plant Charges

State Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda has re-introduced legislation to repeal Florida law that allows utility companies to charge customers for siting, designing, licensing and constructing nuclear power plants before they are built.

Citing the high costs of plant construction and a string of reactor accidents in Japan and France, the Democrat from Tallahassee said, We can do more in Florida to produce truly clean, safe and renewable energy, and with conservation and efficiencies to decrease our dependency on foreign oil.

Nuclear energy has a high price. Florida families and elders are paying for nuclear plants that may never deliver electricity to them or anyone else. This is not only unjust but illogical policy," she said.

State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, has supported repeal legislation previously and has assured Rehwinkel Vasilinda he will do so again in 2012. Her bill is HB 4031.

Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy, which are planning to build four new reactors in Florida, have successfully opposed such measures in past sessions.