TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - An environmental group is criticizing a Florida Public Service Commission staff recommendation to bill utility customers $292 million in costs related to future construction, expansion or upgrades of nuclear power plants.
    
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy's executive director Stephen Smith said Thursday that the recommendation puts power company profits ahead of consumers' best interests.
    
PSC staffers are proposing nuclear cost recovery charges next year of more than $150 million for Florida Power & Light Co. and $142 million for Progress Energy Florida.
    
The commission is to make a decision on Nov. 26.
    
An FPL spokesman says his company's projects are nearly complete and will save money for consumers by reducing fuel costs. Progress, though, hasn't yet received a license to build a new plant in Levy County.

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