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Power Lines Set For New Tampa Amid Pasco Outcry

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By RUSSELL RAY, JULIA FERRANTE and B.C. MANION

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 21, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Progress Energy Florida said Tuesday that it has selected a path for a new 200-mile, high-voltage power line project it wants to build to serve future growth in the Tampa Bay area.

The company's decision brings relief to Tampa Bay area residents who opposed one of several possible paths for the project, but anxiety to others.

The proposed path for the $3 billion transmission project runs east from Oldsmar in Pinellas County through New Tampa in northern Hillsborough County and ends just west of Lakeland in Polk County. Lines also cross Hernando, Citrus, Marion and Sumter counties.

None of the new transmission lines, however, will be constructed in Pasco County, where residents aggressively campaigned against the project. The Pasco County Commission said it was prepared to sue the company to prevent the construction of what it called "unsightly" power lines.

"I'm sure that some of our saber rattling helped," Pasco County Commissioner Michael Cox said. "I think that probably made them think a lot more."

The utility was considering an east-west corridor along State Road 54 in Pasco County, but company executives scrapped that option after 3,000 county residents signed a petition opposing that route. Fred Krauer, who gathered the signatures, said he was shocked by the company's decision. "I just kept thinking the worst," Krauer said.

The project is designed to carry power from Progress Energy's proposed nuclear plant in Levy County. Hearings on that plant will begin today before the Florida Public Service Commission in Tallahassee.

Progress Energy Florida plans to seek regulatory approval to begin recovering the cost of the nuclear plant project and the new transmissions lines from customers before they are completed.

"Nuclear power makes sense," said Jeff Lyash, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy based in Raleigh, N.C. "It's safe and cost-effective, and it will limit our growing dependence on natural gas."

Hurricane Worries Aired

Betty Abshire of Pasco County's Briar Patch Village in Seven Springs, a stone's throw from one of the corridors Progress was considering, said she was "elated" with the utility's decision to choose another route. "Energy lines are needed, but the path they were considering is so populated," she said.

Progress Energy plans instead to build the power lines along an east-west corridor in northern Hillsborough County. Residents said they are concerned about Progress Energy's plan to replace existing transmission lines with lines that carry substantially more voltage and poles that are 20 feet to 30 feet taller.

Northdale resident Nancy Flemming said she's concerned that taller poles could fall on homes during a hurricane and that increased voltage might pose health risks.

"We don't believe that they can put this line through here and have it be safe for the residents," Flemming said.

Progress Energy said taller poles are designed to withstand 145 mph winds and that the 230,000-volt line meets state requirements that limit electric and magnetic fields from power lines and substations.

Bill Edwards, president of the Tampa Palms Owners Association, said the new single poles should be less obtrusive than the "old fashioned" lattice-style towers that currently bisect the New Tampa community. He hasn't heard much of an outcry from residents, even though the new poles will be taller.

'Nothing We Can Do About It'

"Anyone who bought on the power line easement knew this was always a possibility," Edwards said. "Besides, there's nothing we can do about it anyway."

Lyash said more than 90 percent of the proposed corridor follows existing rights of way, arguing it would minimize the effect on neighborhoods and the environment.

"Of the 200 miles, 180 of them are in or adjacent to existing transmission corridors," Lyash said. "That is in direct response to the feedback that people gave us."

Up to 13,500 property owners within the preferred corridor could be affected by the project as the company acquires land for construction. But that figure could change when the company selects specific routes within the corridor later this year.

"It will shrink to a smaller number when we pick the final route," Lyash said.

Under a new state law which takes effect in July, a time limit has been placed on the process for taking property through eminent domain. The time limit will help Progress Energy keep the project on schedule and limit costs.

"Previously, there was not a predictable schedule," Lyash said. The new law "does not change the substance of the process. But it does provide some certainty around the timing so we can plan the project."

Progress expects to submit its power line project to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in June. The DEP will issue a decision in 12 to 18 months, Progress Energy said.

Shares of Progress Energy rose 9 cents to close at $42.51 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Reporter Laura Kinsler contributed to this report. Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870 or rray@tampatrib.com.

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