Florida is considering the addition of new nuclear power plants for the first time in decades, following the inclusion of a nuclear power study in a broad energy bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The legislative push in Florida comes despite historical concerns stemming from incidents like the 1979 Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania. Now, state regulators are set to assess the feasibility of new, advanced nuclear technologies, reflecting both state and federal pushes toward a cleaner energy future. Despite the common goal of a cleaner environment, the new legislation is angering some environmental groups.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy says there are several advantages to advanced reactors that make them inherently safer than older models.
Advanced nuclear power technologies, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Generation IV reactors, Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs), High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs), and Lead-cooled Fast Reactors (LFRs), incorporate significant safety improvements over traditional designs. These advancements include passive safety systems that automatically shut down reactors without human intervention or external power sources, reducing the risk of accidents. Additionally, they utilize alternative coolants like molten salt, helium, and liquid lead, which operate at higher temperatures and lower pressures, further enhancing safety. Their simpler designs require fewer components and less maintenance, minimizing the potential for failures. By offering higher thermal efficiencies and the ability to use alternative fuels, including nuclear waste, these technologies not only improve safety but also address sustainability and cost-effectiveness, making nuclear power a more viable option for future energy needs.
The Florida Public Service Commission has scheduled a workshop for September 5 to begin the process of examining the potential for advanced nuclear power. The workshop comes in response to a legislative directive mandating a report by April 2025. The directive, part of bill HB 1645, includes exploring advanced nuclear technologies and the possibility of adding nuclear power at military bases, among other environmental measures.
Other Provisions of 1545 Don’t Sit Well With Some
The inclusion of the nuclear power study in HB 1645, indicates a renewed push for nuclear energy, but this time, with safer, more advanced technology.Still, the law doesn’t sit well with everyone. Many see the bill as a push to dismantle other Florida renewable-energy goals.
The newly signed law overhauls state energy policies, including the removal of a 2022 directive for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to set “goals and strategies for increasing the use of renewable energy in this state.” The new law, which took effect July 1, 2024, will also eliminate references to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, prohibit potential offshore wind-energy generation, and emphasize encouraging a “cost-effective and affordable energy supply.”
Critics argue that repealing these renewable-energy goals undermines efforts to combat climate change and transition to cleaner energy sources. They contend that this move aligns with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s stance against environmental initiatives, as highlighted in his social-media post, where he stated that officials are “restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots.” This has sparked concerns among environmentalists and advocates who believe the law favors short-term economic interests over long-term environmental sustainability.
Currently, nuclear power accounts for approximately 13% of Florida’s electricity generation, according to a state House analysis. Florida Power & Light operates the St. Lucie and Turkey Point plants. However, the state has not seen the construction of new nuclear facilities since the 1970s and 1980s. Duke Energy Florida’s Crystal River nuclear plant was permanently shut down in 2013 following damage to its containment building.
As Florida takes steps toward potentially expanding its nuclear energy capabilities, the state joins a national effort to embrace advanced nuclear technology as a cornerstone of a clean energy future. The upcoming workshop on September 5 will likely define the state’s nuclear energy trajectory in the years to come.
