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Turkey Point To Get $1 Billion Upgrade

NEAR HOMESTEAD (CBSMiami) – There is a major improvement project being planned for Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point nuclear power plant.

According to CBS4 News partner The Miami Herald, FPL is planning a $1 billion upgrade of nuclear power plant.

All the major systems outside the reactor building are being updated or replaced — transformers, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, condensers, steam pipes and twin 1-million horsepower generators that are the size of school buses. Combined, they make up most of what nuclear engineers call the "secondary plant.''

FPL'S site vice president told The Herald the project will improve the plant's safety, reliability and efficiency.

The project won't begin until it receives final approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

When it does get the green light, the economic effects are expected to be quite positive due to an increase in contractors moving to the area for jobs. The normal work force of about 800 FPL employees has swelled with another 3,200 contractors over the last year, a number expected to peak at around 5,000 workers by the end of January.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report.)

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