Apr 9 - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Rich Mckay The Orlando Sentinel, Fla.

In response to rising electric bills, state lawmakers are working on several proposed laws that would make it faster and easier for power companies to build new electric plants in Florida, including nuclear power plants.

The new laws would streamline the process to get approval for a plant, reduce the number of public hearings and allow the state to overrule any local ordinances or zoning rules that could slow or halt the location of plants that use nuclear energy, coal or gas.

The idea is to encourage more power plants that don't use natural gas or oil, providing Florida with a more diverse range of energy sources. With an average of 1,000 people a day moving to the state, Florida is going to need as much as 40 percent more electricity by 2014, according to the Florida Public Service Commission.

At least six coal plants are in the works in the state. Progress Energy has said that it plans to build a nuclear power plant in Florida. Progress spokesman C.J. Drake said the determination of a site is at least several months away.

The proposed bills are sponsored by state Rep. Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, Rep. Frank Attkinson, R-Kissimmee, and Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis. Although the bills are similar, they still call for some changes, which will need to be worked out in committees. But they are expected to easily win approval in the House and Senate before the end of the session.

Although the bills have the backing of the governor's office and the utilities, several activist groups are crying foul.

The chief complaint from groups including the Florida Public Interest Research Group is that the proposed laws would reduce public input. "Streamlining is code for keeping the public out as much as possible," said Holly Binns, field coordinator for Florida PIRG. "It means they're going to make it as hard as possible for Joe Citizen to have a say in where these plants get built."

Attkinson, whose bill focuses on nuclear plants, said the changes are needed.

"There are still checks and balances," he said. "But right now, locals can say yes or no on something of regional impact.

"We know some [groups] are having heartburn over this, but zoning for a Motel 6 is something that just affects the locals. A nuclear power plant affects the whole state."

Susan Glickman, a spokeswoman with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the bills are "a power grab for the utilities. It makes it easier for the big utilities and harder for the people."

The public would still have input with meetings by Florida's Department of Environmental Protection as well as the state's Public Service Commission, which oversees electric utilities.

Barry Moline, executive director of the Florida Municipal Electric Association, is championing the proposed regulations.

"It gives the [state] PSC the final authority," he said. "Today, any local government can make a lot of noise."

The changes also have the support of Mike Twomey, president and founder of Florida Utility Watch, who is critical of the industry at times. "For one, this promotes fuel diversity, which will help consumers in their pocketbooks," he said. "I've been yelling for years that there's not enough fuel diversity."

Rich McKay can be reached at 407-420-5470 or rmckay@orlandosentinel.com.