In an effort to reduce greenhouse gases, Progress Energy Florida plans to shut down two coal plants in Crystal River, Citrus County, Florida. These two generators alone, produce as much carbon dioxide emissions as 830,000 vehicles.

The plants will be replaced with a nuclear power plant in Levy County, to the tune of 17 billion dollars, in 2020. However, the monetary effects will reflect on our local energy bills starting in January of 2009. You will see a rise in costs at an average of 25%; approximately 10% will go towards the nuclear project while the other 15% will go towards rising fuel costs.

There is an argument on the construction of the nuclear reactor, although they produce lower levels of carbon dioxide, the idea of replacing the coal plants with alternative energy such as solar, wind and bioengery (energy created from biological sources), is an alternative that the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is advocating.

Using Green Power from renewable sources is not only replenishable, but has a less harmful impact on our environment. Many families are getting off the grid today, but without tens of thousands of dollars, alternative energy on a small scale, is virtually impossible. Creating larger scales of production of renewable energy would decrease the impact on our planet and on our wallets.

So, what do you think? Do you think that investing in another nuclear power plant in Levy County is more efficient than investing in renewable energy for the West Central Florida area?