We’re nuked again

Editorial/Ocala Star Banner

Lawmakers have reminded us once again who their masters are when they’re in session in Tallahassee — and it’s not the people of Florida. No, the Florida Legislature serves big business first, and nothing makes the point stronger than the House and Senate votes this week on what was touted as a “reform” of the state’s nuclear cost recovery act.

The NCR was created by the Legislature in 2006 to help big power companies, particularly Duke Power (formerly Progress Energy) and Florida Power & Light, pay for the design and construction of costly nuclear power plants. The idea was to allow the companies to expand Florida’s power generating capacity on a pay-as-you-go basis, theoretically saving consumers in the long run.