Progress Energy, Apalachicola - Port St. Joe Transmission Improvements

STATUS: In progress, with opposition.

OPPOSITION: Franklin County Commissioners

PROSPECTS: Indeterminate

BACKGROUND: Progress Energy plans to enhance the transmission grid in the Apalachicola and Port St. Joe areas of Franklin and Gulf counties. The project will include construction of a new transmission line that runs about 20 miles, starting at the Port St. Joe substation and will end at the Apalachicola substation. The new line is intended to ensure reliable service for the communities of Apalachicola, St. George Island, Carrabelle, Carrabelle Beach, Indian Pass and Eastpoint. Power company representatives also said the new lines would provide a backup system for providing electrical service and improve capacity for growth in the area over the next 20 years. Preliminary work has begun and construction is expected to begin in mid-2009 and will continue through summer 2010. The project faces opposition from Franklin County. In June 2008, the Franklin County commissioners began looking for legal options to block the project. The commissioners say they oppose the project because it would require property owners to provide an easement for the new power lines, and also because they feel the project will hinder operations at the Apalachicola airport. The county would like the power company to put its lines on an already existing easement along Highway 65, something the power company doesn't want to do because that route is in a flood zone. Commissioners said they are also disappointed with the public meetings the company has held on the project because the commission feels the meetings were not conducive to giving public input. SOURCES: Progress Energy (http: //www.progress-energy.com/aboutenergy/transmission/florida/apalachicola_portstjoe.asp); Oyster Radio (http: //www.oysterradio.com/article.aspx?aid=119)

Comments

[Nola Brockfort]

I have an old Florida Power hard-back cover book in my possession, and while reading it I found the name "Snap" Cooper. He was my uncle that was married to my aunt Elaine [James] Cooper Fiztgerald. They had a son they called "Cooter". FYI

[Nola Brockfort]

Progress energy does need to ensure the residents of C-30A the new installation will allow the electricity to stay on in heavy wind situations, as well as thunder storms......