Transmission Improvements

enlarge map Interactive Map Display Detailed View: west-south west-north east-north east-south Here are some photos of the proposed transmission lines in Miami-Dade County Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Coral Gables with simulated transmission line (80’ height with 300’ spans) U.S. 1 in Pinecrest with simulated transmission line (80’ height with 300’ spans) U.S. 1 in South Miami with simulated transmission line (80’ height with 300’ spans) move mouse over images for larger view

On June 30, 2009, FPL filed a Site Certification Application with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for new transmission lines that will improve the overall reliability of the electrical infrastructure that delivers electricity to Miami-Dade County. The four new transmission lines were submitted as part of the Site Certification Application for the proposed Turkey Point 6 & 7 project that will bring two new nuclear units to Turkey Point in our effort to continue to provide clean, safe and reliable energy to our customers.

Project outreach

FPL began an extensive community outreach process in November 2008, when FPL invited the public to comment on proposed potential routes to expand its transmission system for customers in Miami-Dade County. As part of FPL’s community-outreach process, nine open houses were held in the Miami-Dade area where customers were able to review maps, use interactive displays and provide feedback directly to the project team.

FPL also provided several other ways for the community to provide feedback, including an e-survey that asked customers to rank, in order of importance, the top four factors FPL should consider when selecting where to place additional transmission lines. FPL also provided a toll-free number and project e-mail (reliabletransmission@FPL.com) so customers could ask questions and express ideas. As a result of customers’ input, FPL was able to select routes that meet the infrastructure needs of the community while minimizing the impact on local areas.

Throughout the outreach process, our customers indicated that their preference for the routes would be for FPL to minimize the proximity to residential neighborhoods and school properties and take advantage of opportunities to place these lines where other similar infrastructure already existed, such as electrical lines, railroads and major roads. Customers also preferred the lines to be placed in more commercial versus residential areas when possible and to utilize existing FPL rights of way. These preferences are reflected in the selected preferred routes.

Corridor selection

The transmission corridors that FPL submitted in its application are based on the preferred routes that FPL selected after many months of assessment and dialogue with the community. The selection of the new transmission line corridors are based on input from our customers while also balancing land use, environmental, safety and engineering/cost issues.

You can view the detailed maps that show FPL's preferred corridors above as well as an interactive map display that allows you to type in your address and see where the preferred corridors are located. 

Links with further information

The Web sites for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Administrative Hearings will also have information available such as current dates for public meetings, upcoming deadlines and copies of the application.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, www.dep.state.fl.us/siting/apps.htm, See "Power Plant Applications in Process - Turkey Point 6 & 7."

Division of Administrative Hearings, click on the docket number for the project, 09-3575EPP, to get to the site.  

You can view the letter and map FPL sent in July 2009 informing residents of the application filing.  There are several locations in Miami-Dade County where the application is available for review, including public libraries and an FPL business location. View the full list here.

You can view the letters and map FPL sent in November 2008 to all residents in the east (Espanol) and west (Espanol) who live within one-half mile of a potential route in Miami-Dade County and the letter (Espanol) and map sent on March 30 informing them that the preferred routes had been selected. 

You can find out about our selection process to learn how FPL goes about choosing a proposed route and what evaluation criteria (quantitative and qualitative) are considered.

Our fact sheet has more information regarding the transmission improvement project. Additional information is available about project timelines, handouts on easements and undergrounding as well as the benefits of the project. You can also find an overview of the Power Plant Siting Act, more information about the alternate corridor process and PPSA process.

Project Q&A

Why is the project needed?

Providing clean, safe and reliable energy solutions now and in the future is a top priority at FPL. These transmission lines will help achieve this goal by improving the overall reliability of the electrical infrastructure that delivers electricity to the county and also accommodate future service requirements, including utilization of clean-energy technologies.

Where will the power lines be located?

One route will go through the west part of the county traveling north and ending near the city of Doral. The other route travels east on an existing transmission right of way, and then uses the existing busway and Metrorail corridors along U.S. 1. More detailed descriptions of the east and west routes are also available.

What will the new power lines look like?

The proposed 230-kV transmission line in the east is to be constructed typically using 80-foot to 105-foot tall, single-circuit unguyed poles directly embedded into the ground. The proposed 230-kV transmission line in the west is to be constructed typically using 80-foot to 105-foot tall, single-circuit guyed concrete poles directly embedded into the ground.

The two proposed 500-kV transmission lines are to be constructed typically using 135-foot to 150-foot tall, single-circuit guyed concrete poles directly embedded into the ground.

When will the project be constructed?

Transmission improvements and construction of new lines would likely occur between 2012 and 2016.

Questions?

If you have questions, you may contact FPL:

• E-mail any questions or thoughts to reliabletransmission@fpl.com or
• Call us toll-free at 1-800-693-3267.

FPL looks forward to continuing our constructive and collaborative relationship with our neighbors as we move forward and continue to provide safe, affordable and reliable electric service.