The parent company of Progress Energy Florida announced today they'll permanently close the troubled Crystal River nuclear generator. The plant hasn't produced any energy since late 2009, when its concrete containment building cracked during a maintenance and upgrade project.
Officials with Duke Energy, which is based in North Carolina and owns Progress Energy, say the move could affect about 600 employees. The company said it will help transition "as many as possible" into new positions within Duke Energy.
Company officials say fixing the plant could take nearly three years and cost billions of dollars.
Progress Energy spokeswoman Suzanne Grant says the closing shouldn't affect plans to open another nuclear plant just across the Withlacoochee River from Crystal River, in neighboring Levy