| FP&L still pushing for permits for transmission line
across Everglades and for additional Turkey Point nuke plants.
In a South Florida Sun-Sentinel article (link
here) in mid-January, Florida Power & Light (FPL) was quoted saying
that the recent scaling back, by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC),
of FPL's rate increase request would result in halting of new projects,
including two new nuclear reactor and their proposed cross-Everglades
transmission line. Now FPL says they are pushing ahead with permit
applications for those projects. From the January 31 Miami
Herald: |
Despite PSC setback, FPL still pushing for power line permits
BY TANIA VALDEMORO (tvaldemoro@MiamiHerald.com)
Will Florida Power & Light build four proposed high voltage
transmission lines in Miami-Dade County now that state
regulators denied the company's request to raise the rates its
customers pay by $1.3 billion? The answer is not clear.
On one hand, the utility is moving ahead to secure permits and
licenses for the power lines -- a key part of FPL's plan to
build two more nuclear reactors at its Turkey Point site east of
Homestead.
The cost for the reactors ranges from $12 billion to $18
billion.
``Our company remains committed to creating an option for new
nuclear generation to benefit our customers,'' said Mayco
Villafaņa, an FPL spokesman. ``Therefore, we will continue to
work at obtaining the necessary federal, state and local permits
and licenses.''
But FPL President Armando Olivera said that after the Jan. 13
PSC hearing the company is suspending all major capital
projects, including the proposed expansion at Turkey Point.
Villafaņa further explained last week that FPL is suspending all
engineering and construction activities, such as negotiations
with vendors for supply contracts and engineering and
preconstruction activities related to design and planning for
construction.
The suspension gives FPL time to evaluate how it has been
affected by the Public Service Commission's recent action.
The higher base rates that FPL had requested from the commission
would have enabled the company to attract financing for new
projects.
FPL had proposed four power lines emanating from Turkey Point,
including an eastern 230-kV line planned for 18 miles along
South Dixie Highway from Palmetto Bay to downtown Miami.
The three others are for western Miami-Dade -- two 500-kV lines
and one 230-kV line. They would end in Doral.
Opponents of the power lines, who hoped the unsuccessful rate
case would mean the death of the project, blasted FPL for
muddling the issue.
``It's now clear FPL's talk about suspending plans to build new
nuclear plants at Turkey Point amounts to a big head fake,''
Pinecrest council member Bob Ross said.
``With regard to the associated transmission lines, FPL
continues to proceed full speed ahead towards getting the
necessary approvals,'' he said.
``Looks like we're back in the soup again.''
Critics want FPL to bury the lines and for the company to pay
the expense -- a major sticking point between municipalities
such as Pinecrest and the utility.
Opponents say lines atop 80-foot to 105-foot poles are
unsightly.
Others fear that exposure to electromagnetic fields from the
power lines may cause health problems for people living nearby.
Scientific research on EMFs has been inconclusive.
Ross's comments were echoed by South Miami Vice Mayor Brian
Beasley, who said FPL officials had been asking him if the city
was planning to propose an alternate corridor for the power
lines.
Opponents have until April 16 to file a notice of a proposed
alternate corridor with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, which is reviewing the application for the power
lines.
On Jan. 13, the agency made a second determination that FPL's
application was incomplete, records show.
On Thursday, FPL told Pinecrest officials that it would file a
request to extend the time to answer the agency's questions.
Administrative Law Judge Donald Alexander will also make a
recommendation about where the power lines will go to Gov.
Charlie Crist and the Cabinet, who have the final say on the
matter.
South Miami's Beasley said he would be meeting with officials
from various cities next week to consider the city's next steps.
``I think we all realize FPL is moving ahead,'' he said.
For more information on FPL's power line application to the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, go to
www.dep.state.fl.us/siting/apps.htm#ppn1 |
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