Two proposed nuclear reactors in Florida don't pose a threat to the environment, federal regulators said today. But the decision does little to ease concern among consumer advocates that the units are too costly.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a final environmental impact statement (EIS) today for Progress Energy Inc.'s two proposed reactors in Levy County, Fla., along the Gulf of Mexico.

Progress has said the reactors could cost up to $22 billion.

The NRC said there are "no environmental impacts that would preclude issuing" licenses for the utility to build and operate the reactors near Crystal River, Fla.

If the NRC approves a final license for the reactors, Progress expects to bring the first reactor online in 2021, and the second unit would be powered up 18 months later.

Progress spokeswoman Suzanne Grant said the company is expecting the NRC to approve the licenses in 2013. The corps will also use the information from the EIS to determine whether to approve a federal permit.

Despite today's advancement, the company is facing mounting opposition to costs associated with the plant, as well as uncertainty over whether the units will be built.

Progress has also been forced during the past three years to delay the completion date of building the reactors.

Consumer advocates are currently challenging the plant's cost-recovery plan in the Florida Supreme Court.

Progress also agreed to implement a cap on the amount of money it will recoup from consumers beginning in January 2013, but warned that the restriction could delay completion of the units and change the cost of the project, Grant said. The company is now reviewing those changes, she said.