Power lines proposed across the Choctawhatchee Bay

[bob bob]

Recently, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) voted to send a resolution objecting to Florida Power & Light’s stated plan to run overhead power lines across the Choctawhatchee Bay adjacent to the Clyde B. Wells Bridge.

District 5 Commissioner Tony Anderson has led the effort against the FP&L plan, saying, “We’re bringing power towers to the gateway of South Walton. We are a tourist community and that’s a very bad look for South Walton.”

Commissioner Anderson also noted that safety and continued power service to coastal residents and visitors is the major concern. “What happens when we have a hurricane? Is it going to blow the tower down? Then it’s not going to be that everybody gets their power back in a couple of weeks,” said Commissioner Anderson. “It’s going to be that everybody gets their power back maybe in six months.”

In part, the county’s resolution states:
Florida Power & Light has proposed constructing above ground power lines across the Choctawhatchee Bay adjacent to the Clyde B. Wells Bridge. The Walton County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the importance of preserving the natural environment and ecosystem of the Choctawhatchee Bay for its residents, visitors, and threatened species like the Gulf Sturgeon.

The Board also recognizes the economic and societal importance of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge and the tremendous impact (that) closures due to power line construction or maintenance could have on the ability of residents and visitors to commute to southern Walton County and evacuate in case of emergency.”

As part of their appeal, the resolution will be sent to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, as well as our state and federal delegation, in an effort to enlist possible legislative assistance.

“I hope that (resolution) will get the governor’s attention, and the Senate president and the Speaker of the House,” said Anderson. “In my opinion, it’s not a good thing to have overhead power in a community that is so subject to have a hurricane.”

 

[Jimmy T]

This will be a total disaster if they end up doing it. Hopefully, we can find a different solution.

 

[Dawn]

This will be a total disaster if they end up doing it. Hopefully, we can find a different solution.

I'm not real hopeful Walton COunty has very little control over development and utilities seem to do whatever they want. Just look around our roadsides what a mess!

 

[Jim Tucker]

“They’re doing it strictly for financial reasons, and it’s going to be a nightmare for us. They’re going to work on it from the bridge. Therefore, that anything goes down, they’ll, you know, they’ll be working close on one lane of the bridge,” said Tony Anderson, district 5 commissioner.

The chamber of commerce said the difference for undergrounding the utilities is $100 million more than going overhead.

Senator Trumbull said they will work in Tallahassee to try and get more resources to FPL and change the current overhead plans.

“I think it’s worth the ask, and it’s worth a try because it is such an important thoroughfare, you know, between the north and south end of the county. So we don’t have a choice but to get it right the first time,” said Jay Trumbull, Florida State Senator.

 

[Matt J]

Maybe they could just dip into one of the following revenue lines? Why does the state have to subsidize their greed?

 

[mputnal]

FPL is being very aggressive with the power line. They are offering money to property owners along 331 even before they have anything approved with the County or State. It should go underground and that is the position we are taking.

 

[Truman]

FPL is being very aggressive with the power line. They are offering money to property owners along 331 even before they have anything approved with the County or State. It should go underground and that is the position we are taking.

Utility companies have power.

 

[Bob Wells]

Curious why politicians believe government assistance is needed for a for profit company to stretch lines.

 

[mputnal]

Utility companies have power.

Yes they do and the primary reason is politics. Both utility and insurance companies spend a ton of money lobbying government officials. This is a just a fact. Their profits are off the charts. Notice how FPL is advertising. They will eventually put smaller companies out of business. In our case they want to put in these lines and then require Chelco to move their lines to FPL where they can charge an expensive lease. They are telling us that their poles will handle 140 mph winds but when you ask if that comes with a written guarantee the answer is of course no. As a matter of fact you can follow their history to find that their mistakes are covered by the consumer as they are most always successful in getting the approval from the government to raise rates even when their engineering or work product was in error.

 

[Matt J]

Yes they do and the primary reason is politics. Both utility and insurance companies spend a ton of money lobbying government officials. This is a just a fact. Their profits are off the charts. Notice how FPL is advertising. They will eventually put smaller companies out of business. In our case they want to put in these lines and then require Chelco to move their lines to FPL where they can charge an expensive lease. They are telling us that their poles will handle 140 mph winds but when you ask if that comes with a written guarantee the answer is of course no. As a matter of fact you can follow their history to find that their mistakes are covered by the consumer as they are most always successful in getting the approval from the government to raise rates even when their engineering or work product was in error.

FPL is literally charging current customers for their purchase of Gulf Power. I'm sure all the capitalist lovers out there love paying two to three times what CHELCO charges.

Probably the most insulting thing is to keep getting ads in the mail from FPL for wiring insurance and other super scammy solicitations.

All the while knowing they have their eyes squarely on CHELCO and it's customer base.