The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has fined Florida Power & Light Co. $70,000 for three violations at the Turkey Point plant near Homestead.
The commission announced the fine Tuesday.
The NRC learned in December that a neutron-absorbing material in a spent fuel pool had degraded below acceptable levels. The NRC acknowledged that FPL had taken measures to prevent any immediate safety concern, but the utility did not meet the exact regulatory requirements.
FPL spokesman Michael Waldron says every engineering analysis of the spent fuel pool shows that the company took appropriate action. Two independent experts validated FPL's actions and the safety of the fuel pools.
Waldron says FPL has always been extremely conservative in maintaining the spent fuel pools.
"There is no safety issue.'' Waldron said in a written statement.
