The upcoming decommissioning of the Crystal River nuclear power plant needs more government oversight, some type of independent monitor, and better guarantees against cost overruns, a Florida government watchdog agency told the state Public Service Commission last week.
“We ask you to order some modest changes” in the decommissioning contract, Charles Rehwinkel, an attorney for the Florida Office of Public Counsel, told the commission during last week’s three-day hearing, which resembled a legal deposition at times.
Duke Energy Florida last year signed a $540 million contract to have Accelerated Decommissioning Partners (ADP) tear down the retired single-reactor facility in Citrus County by 2027. That would be decades earlier than previously scheduled, though the price does not include long-term management of spent fuel in on-site dry storage.
Accelerated Decommissioning Partners is a joint venture of demolition specialist NorthStar Group Services and Orano USA, the domestic branch of French nuclear company Orano (formerly AREVA).
The contract between Duke and ADP must be approved by the Florida Public Service Commission.
The Office of Public Counsel is a Florida state agency assigned to look after the interests of the ratepayers of state’s utilities. The agency wants the following changes to the Duke-ADP contract:
- The state of Florida should have regulatory authority similar to those of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission;
- The parent companies of ADP must keep at least $105 million in reserve to deal with cost overruns and unexpected expenses;
- ADP would be required to provide monthly reports on its decommissioning progress and its financial condition; and
- An independent monitor must be established to oversee the decommissioning and financial status of the contractor;
Duke and ADP oppose those proposed changes, with Duke attorney Dianne Triplett saying they are not needed.
The Florida Public Service Commission will discuss this matter again on Aug. 18.
