CORRECTED-(OFFICIAL)-Florida OKs FPL, Progress nuclear charges

(PSC corrects figures for Progress Energy in paragraphs one and three)

HOUSTON Oct 15 (Reuters) - The Florida Public Service Commission on Friday agreed to let the state's two largest utilities collect more than $270 million from ratepayers next year as a down payment to develop new nuclear plants expected to come online before the end of the next decade.

The commission will allow FPL Group's FPL.N Florida Power & Light Co to recover nearly $62.7 million in costs related to construction of two proposed nuclear reactors, Turkey Point Units 6 and 7, and work to increase output at its existing nuclear units, Turkey Point Units 3 and 4 and St. Lucie Units 1 and 2, the commission said in a release. FPL is the state's largest utility.

The commission also voted to allow No. 2, Progress Energy Florida (PGN.N) utility to recover about $207 million in costs tied to construction of new nuclear units, Levy Units 1 and 2, along with an expansion at its existing Crystal River reactor.

The additional charges mean FPL's customers will pay about 67 cents per month more on a 1,000-kilowatt-hour bill next year while Progress Energy Florida customers will pay $5.86 per month, the PSC said.

In 2006, Florida lawmakers enacted a law to encourage development of nuclear power by permitting cost recovery for some nuclear project costs ahead of the construction process. (Reporting by Eileen O'Grady)