JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Environmental groups are expressing disappointment with JEA’s plans to construct a new natural gas-fueled power plant in North Jacksonville, citing concerns for the river and long-term dependence on fossil fuels.
The proposal comes as JEA faces mounting costs of maintaining Unit 3, which burns oil and natural gas at its Northside Generation Station.
The utility has agreed to move forward with the project, which would be built at the old St. Johns River Power Park site.
The new plant, which is projected to cost up to $1.57 billion, would produce almost 30 percent more energy than Unit 3 and could power 300,000 homes in Northeast Florida, according to the utility.
But St. Johns Riverkeeper’s Lisa Rinaman said she’s disappointed the proposed power plant would burn natural gas and would not incorporate renewable energy sources.
“Basically locking our community into relying on fossil fuels into, you know, for…
