Could there have been a more ruthless, diabolical, state utility monopolizer to receive $200 million in federal stimulus money than Florida Power & Light? I'm not the only one questioning the federal government's decision either.
President Barack Obama announced FPL's stimulus bounty this week during a tour of the company's new photovoltaic electricity facility in Arcadia. It's the largest of its kind in the world.
The commander-in-chief gushed
that the plant - where solar panels directly convert the sun's power
into electricity - would save 575,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions
over the next 30 years.
Well that's nice and all, but let's not forget FP&L wants to inflict a
30 percent base rate increase on us so the company can finance its grand plan to build two more nuclear reactors at Turkey
Point. Yes in case you weren't aware of it. Miami-Dade County is home
to a nuclear reactor. Right next to Biscayne National Park.
FPL's swarm of lobbyists have already convinced the Miami-Dade
County Commission to build the reactors. In fact, county officials are
now acquiescing to the company's latest maneuver to mine rock from Biscayne
Bay to elevate the multi-hundred acres needed to elevate the reactors dozens of feet above sea level.
The final word will most likely come from Gov. Charlie Crist and his
cabinet. But it still sucks that President Obama is providing political cover and
millions in taxpayer money to a company that not an
example of good green corporate responsibility.
