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Power Line Plans Up For Discussion

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By RUSSELL RAY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 23, 2008

Updated: 02/22/2008 08:33 pm

Progress Energy Florida will hold a series of informational meetings next week to discuss the company's plan to build about 200 miles of new transmission lines in a 10-county area that includes Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties.

The company said the added transmission is needed to meet the region's growing demand for electricity and to maintain the reliability of Progress Energy's network of power plants, substations and power lines.

The utility will begin acquiring rights of way for specific routes later this year, although an exact path for the lines has not yet been identified, Progress Energy said.

The project requires approval from the Florida Public Service Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection. If approved, construction would begin in 2012. The new lines would be placed into service in 2016.

The power lines will be suspended from two types of poles: Single steel poles up to 165 feet tall; and two-pole structures known as H-frames that are about 120 feet tall.

The structures would be spaced 700 to 1,300 feet apart, the company said.
Progress Energy said it is too early to assign a cost to the project or estimate its impact on consumer rates.

The utility will host four informational meetings on the project next week in Tarpon Springs, Tampa and Lakeland:

•Monday, 4-8 p.m., Crescent Oaks Country Club, 3300 Crescent Oaks Blvd., Tarpon Springs.

•Tuesday, 4-8 p.m., Alfano Conference & Banquet Center, 11606 N. McKinley Dr., Tampa.

•Wednesday, 4-8 p.m., Marriott Westshore, 1001 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa.

•Thursday, 4-8 p.m., The Lakeland Center, 701 W. Lime St., in the Lake Hollingsworth meeting room, Lakeland.
Progress Energy has sent letters to residents living within the potential corridors for the new transmission lines, informing them of the project and the upcoming meetings.

St. Petersburg-based Progress Energy Florida is the state's second-largest electric utility, serving nearly 1.7 million customers.

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870 or rray@tampatrib.com.

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