Last week, the NRC announced that it signed off on FP&L’s application for a 20-year extension for Turkey Point nuclear plant.

The approval will allow Turkey Point to continue to operate through at least 2053, which brings the total lifespan of the plant to 80 years.  The NRC had already agreed to extend by 2 decades once before.

“This is the first time the NRC has issued renewed licenses authorizing reactor operations from 60 to 80 years,” the agency said in a statement. The reactors, which went into operation in 1972 and 1973, are now cleared to continue operation for twice as long as the original 40-year operating license had allowed

Turkey Point generates about 1,600 million watts of electricity — enough power to supply the annual needs of more than 900,000 homes