Progress Energy may shut Crystal River reactor for good

The Crystal River reactor in Florida which has been shuttered for more than 18 months may be shut down permanently. Reactor owner, Progress Energy, is pondering whether the cost to fix the plant's multiple problems is worth it. According to the Tampa Tribune, "mounting costs to fix the plant have Progress Energy officials wondering whether to keep pumping more money into the plant or shut it and rebuild a non-nuclear plant in its place." The tab so far? Reports the Tribune: "$150 million through the end of last year. Also, it has cost the company another $290 million to buy electric power to replace the power that the nuclear plant isn't generating. Progress Energy's insurance company has covered $181 million of that cost."