"TALLAHASSEE -- An advocacy group will ask the state Supreme Court to reject a regulatory decision that would allow Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy Florida to collect about $282 million from customers next year for nuclear-power projects."

"The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy notified the state Public Service Commission last week that it is taking the unusual step of appealing an order that allows the utilities to collect money for work on future or existing nuclear plants.

The dispute centers on FPL and Progress billing customers for upfront costs on four planned nuclear reactors that would not start producing electricity for at least another decade --- and, critics say, might never produce electricity.

Stephen A. Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said consumers are getting hit with costs for "imaginary nuclear plants" and that the Public Service Commission is not properly carrying out a 2006 law."

Jim Saunders reports for the News Service of Florida December 27, 2011. [2]