Duke Energy Chief Executive Officer Jim Rogers called before Florida Public Service Commission
Jul 17, 2012
The following article was published in The Florida Current on July 17, 2012:
Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers Called Before the Public Service Commission
By Bruce Ritchie
The Florida Public Service Commission said Tuesday it has called Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers to testify before the commission on Aug. 13 about the damaged Crystal River nuclear power plant.
Duke recently merged with Progress Energy Corp., which owns the damaged Crystal River plant.
Rogers was called before the North Carolina Utilities Commission this past week to testify on the ouster of Progress Energy CEO Bill Johnson after the merger in June.
During his testimony, Rogers mentioned a Duke Energy study of the damaged nuclear plant, according to Engineering News-Record. The study led to a loss of confidence and the split with Johnson, according to the news website.
The Florida PSC has requested a copy of a Duke Energy study but has not received it, according to a commission news release.
The PSC in February approved an agreement that removes the damaged nuclear plant from customer rates until it’s either repaired or decommissioned. The agreement also refunds $288 million in replacement fuel and purchased power costs over five years.
The agreement provides for ongoing consultation with the Office of Public Counsel, which represents Florida utility customers, about the decision to repair or retire the nuclear plant. Members of the Florida Public Service Commission want to ensure that Florida’s customers will continue to benefit from the agreement under the merged company, according to the agency news release
The Crystal River plant was shut down in 2009 for an upgrade and maintenance project, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Workers discovered cracks within a reactor containment building wall in 2011.
Duke Energy spokesman Dave Scanzoni said Tuesday the company is reviewing the plant and will make a decision by early 2013 about its future. He said Rogers told the PSC he will be pleased to appear on Aug. 13.
“Yes, we believe customers are (protected under the February agreement),” Scanzoni said. “But we woudl be pleased to answer the questions the commission presents at the (Aug. 13) hearing.”
View the original article here: http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/article.cfm?id=28516327