State Rep. Mike Fasano knew that Duke Energy was going to withdraw plans to build a nuclear power plant in Levy County long before the general public did.
He says his feeling after hearing the news was for the customers - himself included - who have paid more than a billion dollars of fees - money that was to go toward a nuclear power plant that will never be built. He says Duke Energy was not honest with state leaders, the Public Service Commission and most importantly not honest with its customers.
Rep. Mike Fasano says lawmakers failed consumers by allowing Duke to get away with "almost armed robbery."
Fasano says lawmakers failed consumers by allowing Duke to get away with "almost armed robbery." He says someone must ask Duke Energy when they knew that they were not going to build these nuclear plants, because they should have, at that time gone before the Public Service Commission and stopped the fee customers pay each month toward the construction of such plants.
The announcement follows Duke's decision in February to mothball its nuclear plant in Crystal River. Progress broke that plant during a botched equipment upgrade in 2009. The advance fee forces Duke customers to pay for that upgrade as well.
The hit to homeowners: Duke Energy customers may end up paying roughly $3 billion for Crystal River and the never-to-be Levy County generator.
