State regulators Tuesday approved Florida Power & Light's request to build two new nuclear reactors and opened the door for the utility to start charging customers for the multibillion-dollar investment as early as next year -- even though the reactors won't be finished for a decade.

In a major victory for FPL, the Public Service Commission shrugged off the concerns of dozens of environmental groups and unanimously agreed there was a need for the new reactors at Turkey Point in South Miami-Dade.

The utility's nuclear plans still face more state and federal approvals, but on Tuesday they received the green light from their primary regulators.

The PSC staff had told commissioners it might have recommended delaying a decision on the reactors, but a new state law insists that nuclear applications be fast-tracked, because many political leaders believe nuclear plants can reduce dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

Gov. Charlie Crist Tuesday issued a statement applauding the PSC "for securing Florida's energy future."

FPL spokesman Mayco Villafaņa said the utility might file a request in May with the PSC to begin charging customers for the expensive reactors, which could ultimately cost $12 billion to $24 billion, depending on what technology is used. They are expected to go into service in 2018 or later.

FPL's first request for money will cover expenses the utility expects to incur through 2009. Customer costs will fluctuate and not be more than $6 a month for the average home, Villafaņa said. They could start next year, if the PSC approves.

"Trends indicate there will be a substantial need for more power in FPLs service territory, and these new nuclear units can help meet that need, " PSC Chairman Matthew M. Carter II said in a statement. "The nuclear units will provide a clean, noncarbon-emitting source of base-load power to meet Floridas growing energy needs."

The PSC estimated that the new plants would provide enough power for one million homes.

"This is a critical first step toward securing Florida's future with additional energy that is safe, reliable, cost-efficient and clean, " said FPL President Armando Olivera.

The reactors still need approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which will oversee the concerns of a large number of state and local entities, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Those approvals are not expected to be finished before 2010 or 2011, Villafaņa said.

The Miami-Dade Commission approved the new reactors in December, but with 19 conditions that county environmental regulators say will ensure continued county oversight once FPL decides on its designs.

Dawn Shirreffs, South Florida organizer for Clean Water Action, said the PSC ignored comments of 45 environmental groups.

"Given Florida's vulnerability to climate change and water shortages, rate-payer money would more wisely be invested in renewable and efficiency solutions that don't squander our critical water supply, " Shirreffs said in a press release.

An FPL press release said that once built, the nuclear plants would provide much cheaper power than natural-gas plants, saving customers about $1 billion a year.

The utility said the nuclear units would reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide by more than seven million tons a year, a major benefit in reducing greenhouse gases that are said to cause global warming.

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