The purpose of this prehearing conference is to: (1) simplify the issues; (2) identify the positions of the parties on the issues; (3) consider the possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents which will avoid unnecessary proof; (4) ...

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Departmental

The Florida Public Service Commission announces a hearing and prehearing to be held in the following docket, to which all interested persons and parties are invited to attend.

DOCKET NO.: 060642-EI – Petition for Determination of Need for Expansion of Crystal River Unit 3 Electrical Power Plant in Citrus County by Progress Energy Florida, Inc.

PREHEARING CONFERENCE

DATE AND TIME: Monday, January 8, 2007, 1:30 p.m.

PLACE: Commission Hearing Room 148, Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32301

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The purpose of this prehearing conference is to: (1) simplify the issues; (2) identify the positions of the parties on the issues; (3) consider the possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents which will avoid unnecessary proof; (4) identify exhibits; (5) establish an order of witnesses; and (6) consider such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the action.

HEARING

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, January 18, 2007, 9:30 a.m.

PLACE: Commission Hearing Room 148, Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32301

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The purpose of this hearing is for the Commission to take final action to determine the need, pursuant to Section 403.519, Florida Statutes, for an expansion of Progress Energy of Florida’s Crystal River Unit 3 (“CR3”) nuclear power plant located in Citrus County, Florida. The proposed expansion is an uprate that when completed will increase the power output at CR3 by approximately 180 megawatts (“MWs”). The proposed uprate or expansion will be completed in two phases. The first phase will be accomplished during the planned 2009 refueling outage and the second phase will be completed during the 2011 planned refueling outage. Phase one will be completed during a scheduled steam generator replacement and will include modifications to the turbine line components to take advantage of greater steam efficiencies, with an expected additional 40 MW of power following work completed in phase one. Phase two consists of changes that will allow for use of more highly enriched uranium in the reactor core and will result in an anticipated additional 140 MW of power.

This proceeding shall: (1) allow Progress Energy of Florida to present evidence and testimony in support of its petition for determination of need for its proposed expansion of an electrical power plant including its request for exemption from bidding requirements under Rule 25-22.082, Florida Administrative Code; (2) permit any intervenors to present testimony and exhibits concerning this matter; (3) permit members of the public who are not parties to the need determination and bid exemption proceeding the opportunity to present testimony concerning this matter; and (4) allow for such other purposes as the Commission may deem appropriate.

Any member of the public who wishes to offer testimony should be present at the beginning of the hearing. By providing public testimony, a person does not become a party to the proceeding. To become an official party of record, you must file a Petition for Intervention at least five days before the final hearing, pursuant to the requirements contained in Rule 25-22.039, Florida Administrative Code. All witnesses shall be subject to cross-examination at the conclusion of their testimony.

The hearing will be governed by the provisions of Chapter 120, Florida Statutes; Section 403.519, Florida Statutes; and Chapters 25-22 and 28-106, Florida Administrative Code.

Only issues relating to the need for the expansion of the electrical power plant and the request for bid exemption will be heard at the January 18, 2007 hearing. Separate public hearings will be held before the Division of Administrative Hearings to consider environmental and other impacts of the proposed power plant, as required by the “Power Plant Siting Act,” Sections 403.501-.519, Florida Statutes.

Any person requiring some accommodation at this hearing because of a physical impairment should call the Division of the Commission Clerk and Administrative Services, [phone], at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. Any person who is hearing or speech impaired should contact the Florida Public Service Commission by using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD).

If settlement of the case or a named storm or other disaster requires cancellation of the hearing, Commission staff will attempt to give timely direct notice to the parties. Notice of cancellation of the hearing will also be provided on the Commission’s website (http://www.psc.state.fl.us/) under the Hot Topics link found on the home page. Cancellation can also be confirmed by calling the Office of the General Counsel at [phone].