MIAMI — Miami Waterkeeper’s advocates continued their legal fight challenging the federal government’s extension of the Turkey Point nuclear power plant’s operating license.

On Wednesday, the Coral Gables-based nonprofit organization announced Attorney Rachael Curran filed a petition to initiate an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

In a statement, Curran, who represents Miami Waterkeeper in the appeal, said the nonprofit was asking the court to ensure that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal agency tasked with protecting public health and safety related to nuclear energy, “meaningfully evaluates and mitigates, as required by law, the real risks” of extending operations at the Turkey Point facility from 2032 through 2053.

Rachel Silverstein, the chief executive officer of Miami Waterkeeper, highlights that the Turkey Point nuclear plant and its cooling canals, on the edge of Biscayne Bay, sit atop the Biscayne Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water for millions in South Florida.

“The NRC’s decision to allow this risky nuclear license extension to remain does not resolve the serious environmental risks posed by operating this facility for decades longer, like ongoing groundwater contamination into our drinking water supply, and operating into an era of climate risks like sea level rise, high temperatures, and stronger storms,” Silverstein said.

The Florida Power & Light Company reports that Turkey Point generates “enough power to supply the annual needs of more than 900,000 homes.“ It has been in operation since 1972.

“Florida Power & Light appreciates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s extensive review of Turkey Point’s subsequent license renewal,” an FPL statement read. “After completing a detailed, site-specific environmental analysis, the NRC issued the licenses for Units 3 and 4, allowing the plant to continue operating safely into the 2050s. We take our responsibility to protect the environment and surrounding communities seriously and will continue operating the plant safely while meeting Florida’s growing energy needs.”

For more information about Miami Waterkeepers’ efforts, visit this page.

“Florida Power & Light has a dedicated team evaluating small modular reactors (SMRs) as part of our all-forms-of-energy approach to meet our customers’ needs reliably and responsibly. No SMR is included in the current Ten-Year Site Plan as we have not found this technology to be cost-effective for our customers today.

“To be ready once SMRs make economic sense for our customers, FPL will begin the initial stages of early site permitting in 2026 or 2027, a process available under U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules, for a potential SMR at a site adjacent to an existing nuclear power plant. By taking these steps early while we study the feasibility of SMRs, FPL aims to be well-positioned to benefit from this technology when costs become competitive. As always, we will pursue the most cost-effective ways to produce and deliver safe and reliable energy to our more than 6 million customers.

“Regarding extreme weather conditions, Turkey Point Nuclear Plant is designed to withstand extreme natural events such as hurricanes, storm surge and flooding under strict NRC oversight. Turkey Point’s site design includes added protection against flooding and storm surge, including elevating critical equipment 20 feet above sea level. An independent analysis submitted to the NRC found the site can withstand severe flooding from the most extreme events, including storm surge higher than Category 5 Hurricane Andrew, while considering maximum rainfall and projected sea-level rise.

“After extensive review, the NRC took this into consideration, along with other factors, when it extended Turkey Point’s license to continue to operate safely and reliably into the 2050s, providing low-cost, emissions-free energy to FPL customers.”

— FPL spokesperson

Related document: The 96-page petition filed

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Local 10 News Reporter Christina Vazquez contributed to this report.

Miami Waterkeeper challenges feds’ approval of Turkey Point nuclear plant’s operating license

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Andrea Torres