| Florida Power and Light (FPL)
intends to add two new nuclear reactor units to its Turkey Point
facility, situated basically at the top of the Keys. FPL is
seeking the various permits needed.
Last Stand president Al Sullivan enumerates several very
good reasons why more nuclear power plants at Turkey Point is a very bad
idea in the letter-to-editor below, which appeared in the April 19 Key
West Citizen. |
Turkey Point plant shouldn't be expanded
Expansion of the Turkey Point nuclear power plant will be
discussed at a public hearing Thursday, the day after Earth Day.
This proposed project has received preliminary acceptance, but
does not have final approval at this time. Monroe County
residents should be concerned about the addition of two more
nuclear reactors in South Miami-Dade County for a number of
reasons.
1. The expansion will require approximately 80 million gallons
of new cooling water. The proposed source is a new
taxpayer-funded treatment plant to recycle South Miami-Dade
sewage and pump it to Turkey Point, since one of the
preconditions for the expansion is "no new withdrawals" from the
Biscayne Aquifer. Should the pipeline be interrupted, FPL must
have a secure backup water source to avoid dangerous
overheating. The backup plan draws from wells that will impact
the aquifer, which is already threatened by saltwater intrusion
due to overuse.
2. FPL wants to build a "dry storage" facility for nuclear waste
at its low-lying Turkey Point facility, instead of removing it
to a safer location. Safety problems connected with storage of
nuclear waste have yet to be solved, and the current submerged
storage ponds are nearing capacity.
3. The overall safety record at Turkey Point's existing reactors
is not good. Breaches in security and safety regulations have
resulted in fines from the Nuclear Regulatory Com-mission.
Expansion would increase risk.
4. Turkey Point is northeast of the Keys. During part of each
year, prevailing winds blow from the northeast, placing the Keys
directly downwind from the plant.
5. Evacuation of the Keys after a malfunction at the plant would
probably be folly since the planned evacuation route for the
Keys is south to Key West, leaving about 70,000 residents
approximately 100 miles from potential nuclear fallout with
little avenue of escape.
6 The existing reactors at Turkey Point could be flooded in
years to come by global warming.Why spend billions more to
expand it? FPL wants to obtain fill for the new reactors by
creating a huge borrow pit in the Everglades. Taxpayers are
already paying for restoration of decades of hydrological
mistakes in the River of Grass. This could well be another. A
new location, on higher ground, would seem more sensible. And a
greener source of power, such as wind or solar, would be much
better for the environment.
Al Sullivan, president
Last Stand
Key West |
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