Nuclear Option: Possible North Escambia Power Plant
February 13, 2012
Last week, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the construction of two nuclear reactors in Georgia, paving the way for Southern Company — the parent company of Gulf Power — to build the nation’s first new nuclear power plants in more than 30 years.
The NRC certified the use of a Westinghouse reactor design known as the AP1000 for 15 years, after a lengthy review that included looking at safety issues. The design approved can be built at any suitable location in the United States.
The design could potentially be used for a nuclear plant in North Escambia. Gulf Power is in the process of purchasing about 4,000 acres near McDavid for a power plant that company officials say might be a nuclear plant. So far, Gulf Power’s $13 million in land purchases are approaching 2,700 acres.
The Florida Public Service Commission could decide later this month whether Gulf Power Company customers will pay $93.5 million more a year for electricity — partially to fund the land purchases near McDavid. A customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity would see their bill jump about $8 per month.
While Gulf Power says it is justified in seeking money for the land purchase, state Associate Public Counsel Joe McGlothlin said the company has not taken initial regulatory steps for a nuclear plant.
“In this case, the cart is about a city block in front of the horse,” said McGlothlin, whose office represents consumers in utility issues.
Top executives told the state Public Service Commission that Gulf Power has not received a base-rate increase in nearly a decade and needs to collect more money to continue upgrading its system in Northwest Florida.
“We asked for what we thought we needed,” Gulf Power President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Crosswhite told the Florida Public Service Commission in December. “We didn’t pad it.”
There has been no official announcement about Gulf Power’s plans for their North Escambia property.
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Gulf Power spokesman Jeff Rogers said the company knows it will eventually need the land. He said the company is keeping its “options open” until forecasts show a need for developing a power plant, which could be nuclear, gas-powered or some other type of facility.
“You can’t meet the need without the very first thing in place, and that’s the property, the land,” Rogers said.
PSC rate-case documents indicate Gulf Power started considering a nuclear project in 2007, after former Gov. Charlie Crist issued executive orders designed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from power plants.
The rate-case documents say Gulf Power considered more than two dozen potential sites in Northwest Florida before settling in 2008 on what is known as the North Escambia site that is bordered roughly by Bratt Road, Cox Road, Byrneville Road and Highway 29. The site is along the Escambia River, which could provide a crucial water source for a power plant, and has been owned largely by timber companies.
Pointing to such changes, Gulf Power official Rhonda Alexander said in written testimony that the company decided to defer moving forward with trying to get a license and permits for a nuclear-power plant. But she said it still needed to buy the land.
“Gulf had learned from its extensive site investigation that there was only one acceptable nuclear plant site in Northwest Florida,” said Alexander, who served as nuclear development manager from 2008 to 2010. “If Gulf was going to preserve the nuclear option for its customers, the North Escambia site needed to be secured by Gulf. If Gulf lost the ability to use that site, it would be precluded from building nuclear in the future.”
Pictured top: An artist rendering of an AP1000 nuclear plant. Pictured middle: One of the first pieces of property purchased by Gulf Power Company for a North Escambia power plant.
The News Service Florida contributed to this NorthEscambia.com report.
Man Charged With Passing Stolen Check At Grocery Store
February 13, 2012
A Century man is facing felony charges for allegedly passing stolen checks at a Century grocery store.
Kenneth Erwin Heinz, 48, was charged with passing a forged instrument and grand theft. He remained in the Escambia County jail Monday with bond set at $10,000.
Heinz allegedly provided his driver’s license and passed a check for $922.86 at the Food Giant on North Century Boulevard, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’ Office arrest report. Late last year, the checks had been reported as stolen to the Flomaton Police Department by S&S Construction in Flomaton.
Heinz told deputies that he knew that check was stolen when he cashed it, and that he was paid $100. The Sheriff’s Office has not released the name of the person that allegedly paid Heinz to cash the check as their investigation continues.
Rain Becoming Likely Tonight, Tuesday
February 13, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and midnight, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming south between 10 and 15 mph. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: Showers likely before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. North wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Do You Need An ‘Extreme Farm Makeover’?
February 13, 2012
A conference, “Extreme Farm Makeover: Maximizing your farm’s potential” will be presented this Thursday at the Chumuckla’s Farmers Opry House.
Lecture topics will include produce marketing, Florida’s new cottage-food laws, fruit orchard management, as well as produce marketing and silvo pasture conversion. An afternoon session will be held at the University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Facility, where attendees will have the opportunity to learn about different hydroponic growing systems for produce and small ruminant marketing. Continuing Education Units will also be available.
One special speaker at the conference will be Bryan Cave of Pilot Mountain Pride (PMP), a produce-marketing association based out of Surry County, North Carolina which has similar goals and operations as local organization Panhandle Fresh Marketing Association (PFMA). PMP opened its doors in May 2010 with a goal of bringing in $30,000 to $50,000 in first-year sales. Instead, they pulled in more than $250,000.
Cave explains how PMP’s success can be a model for local farmers hoping to utilize PFMA.
“I think it’s a universal issue, the market for locally grown produce. For the farmer, the barriers are the same: the need for someone to evaluate the market and sell the produce is the same, and not all farmers have the time, resources or experience for that.” Produce marketing associations fill that gap and makes locally grown produce a viable option for farmers and consumers.
Many farmers have reservations about diversifying their operation because they have already specialized in certain crops. However, with the help of the University of Florida, West Florida Research and Education Center, County Extension Services and the PFMA, any farm can undergo an extreme makeover and learn to maximize their profits by getting the most eggs out of the most baskets.
Farmers looking to diversify their operation and learn about their options are encouraged to attend the Agribusiness Conference. Registration is now open, with a pre-registration fee of $20.00 before February 14th; afterward, the fee increases to $25. To see a complete listing of speaker topics or to register online visit Miltongators.com
Register Now For Northview DCT Coed Softball Tournament
February 13, 2012
The Northview High School DCT will sponsor a coed softball tournament in March, and there is a discounted registration fee available through Wednesday.
The DCT Coed Softball Tournament will be held beginning at 8 a.m. on March 3 at Northwest Escambia’s Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Fee is $100 per 9-12 member team if paid by February 15. Late registrations will be accepted February 16-27 for $150 per team. Registration fees can be paid at Northview from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., ask for Raylin.
Team members must be 14-years of age or older, and there must be three females on the field at all times. There is a 10 team limit.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681 or (251) 294-1947.
The concession stand will be open the day of the event. No coolers please.
Nettie Elizabeth Bell
February 13, 2012
Mrs. Nettie Elizabeth Bell, 74, passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2012, in Atmore.
Mrs. Bell was a native and lifelong resident of Atmore and attended the Nokomis Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Ola Mae Dulaney, two brothers, Jim Kirby and Rayford Kirby, and three sisters, Virgie May Taylor, Hazel Gorum and Mary Lou McDonald.
Survivors include her husband, Russell F. Bell of Atmore; her daughter, Charlene and Ron Moxness of Walnut Hill; two grandchildren, Lindsey Moxness and Ronald Dawayne “Bubba” Moxness, Jr., both of Walnut Hill; a great-granddaughter, Lakelynn Grace Moxness Ikner of Walnut Hill; a special nephew, Doodle McDonald; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom she loved very much .
Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore with the Rev. Henry Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday February 14, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Mark McDonald, Jason McDonald, Nathan Bell, Brenton Bell, Dennis Bell and Andrew Gorum, Jr.
Senate Takes Up Prison Privatization
February 13, 2012
Today, the Florida Senate will take up or down votes on pending amendments, and try to get a bill on privatizing prisons in most of South of Florida ready for a floor vote.
The privatization bill, a top priority of Senate leadership, was brought to the floor earlier this session, but pulled from consideration when it began to appear that leadership couldn’t get the measure passed.
An amendment that remains pending would shelve the issue for a year in favor of a study. That amendment will be up for consideration on Monday – which would put the bill in place for a vote on Tuesday.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos has said the vote count on the issue is “very close.”
The proposal calls for private prison operators to save 7 percent by running prisons in 18 South Florida counties, about 30 facilities in all. Opponents have said that the plan won’t save that much money.
EREC Sends Area Juniors On Tallahassee Youth Tour
February 13, 2012
Fourteen high school juniors were guests of Escambia River Electric Cooperative last week in Tallahassee as they learned more about their state legislature and electric cooperatives.
Participants were Aaron Floyd, Courtney Lambert and Sandy Rainwater from Northview High School; J. D. Atkins, Jacob Burnham, Camille Driver, Kathryn English, Joshua Gilmore, Evan Goodson, Chanda Hawthorne and Carly Owens from Jay High School; Lauren Griswold and Logan Rowell from Central High School; and Brett Campbell from Pace High School.
While in Tallahassee, the students met with nearly 100 other high school juniors from electric cooperatives throughout the state of Florida. EREC delegates enjoyed visiting the Challenger Museum and viewing the IMAX movie, Hubble (3D). Youth Tour participants observed court in session in the Florida Supreme Court and participated in a mock session in the senate chambers where various members of the Legislature addressed the group.
The Youth Tour program provided students an opportunity to learn more about their state government and electric cooperatives and also gives them a chance to interact
with other students from co-ops throughout the state.
“It was a great educational experience and a lot of fun for the entire group,” according to Sabrina Owens, EREC’s marketing director.
Pictured top: EREC Youth Tour delegates on the steps of the Capitol — (front, L-R) Lauren Griswold, Kathryn English, Carly Owens, J. D. Atkins, Aaron Floyd and Jacob Burnham, (back row) Brett Campbell, Joshua Gilmore, Courtney Lambert, Sandy Rainwater, Camille Driver, Chanda Hawthorne, Evan Goodson and Logan Rowell. Pictured below: Rep. Doug Broxson meets with Youth Tour participants. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Panhandle Lawmaker Blasted For Rope Hanging Comment
February 13, 2012
Senate Reapportionment Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, apologized Friday for using hanging imagery in reference to lawsuits challenging new maps for legislative and congressional districts approved Thursday by the Senate.
“My father used to say, ‘Some people would complain if you hung them with a new rope,’” Gaetz said Thursday, referring to his belief that some groups planned to sue no matter what maps the Legislature drew.
On Friday, Gaetz apologized after three black lawmakers angrily said the remarks were insensitive.
“I’m sorry if any offense was taken,” Gaetz said. “Those who know me and those who work with me are well aware that no offense was meant.”
Among those calling for Gaetz to apologize was Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa. “The use of his analogy reflects back on an extremely violent period in our country’s and our state’s history,” Joyner said Friday. “And it shows an insensitivity on the part of the Senator about the hard-fought passage of Blacks from slaves to citizens.”
The remark also brought a sharp response from two high-ranking black House Democrats.
“The senator’s comment is especially appalling given that it is made in connection to the issue of redistricting, in which there is considerable history of racial minorities being deprived of adequate representation,” said Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, slated to become the House’s top Democrat later this year.
Rep. Mia Jones, a Jacksonville Democrat who chairs the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, also slammed Gaetz. “Senator Gaetz’ use of such highly charged and disturbing language has absolutely no place in this important discussion about the future of Florida,” she said.
By The News Service Florida
Van Ike Sells
February 13, 2012
Mr. Van Ike Sells, 65, passed away on Friday, February 10, 2012, in Atmore.
Mr. Sells was a native of Hillsborough, FL, a former resident of Tampa, and a resident of Atmore for the past two years. He attended the Baptist church.
He was preceded in death by his sife of 12 years, Shirley Sells, his mother, Millicent Sawyer, his father, Milton Sells, and a brother, Melvin Sells.
He is survived by his brothers, Billy Glenn and Betty Sells of Cantonment, and Darrell and Mary Jane Sells of McCullough; four sisters, Hattie and Glenn Knowles of Poarch, Pandora and Frank Andrews of Atmore, Vicky and Doug Burns of Poarch, and Tera and Frankie Coon of McCullough; his stepmother, Anna Lucille Sells; a special nephew, Shelton and Christin Sells of Atmore; a special best friend, Jimmy Mantis; and an aunt, Dora Dinkle of CA.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Richard Daniels officiating. Burial will follow at the New Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday February 14, 2012, from 10 a.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore.
Pallbearers will be Shelton Sells, Eric Rolin, Jason Fayard, Ben Andrews, John Sells and David Sells.