NIMBY: Kendall, Pinecrest and South Miami residents oppose giant FPL power lines, too!

The Not-in-My-Backyard (NIMBY) folks are out in full force. First Pinecrest and South Miami didn't want new power lines on US1 (South Dixie Highway) through their communities on their way to the Downtown Miami substation.  Unsightly and a health hazard they call them.  Now Kendall doesn't want them either and with good reason.  Kendall was never a consideration until Pinecrest and South Miami raised a stink.  It's worth noting that the two former communities harbor some of the most well connected and wealthy individuals in the county, so their voices will be heard.  Kendall on the other hand, not so much.

However,  they can agree on one thing:  Florida Power & Light (FPL) should burry the lines. Unfortunately, these communities don't want to pay for this cost prohibitive alternative.  It's great that the citizens aired their grievances and suggestions to FPL, but they should've taken a calculator and a well sharpened pencil so they can perform basic arithmetic.  Spare the modern gadgetry for now the math skills sink in better when doing it the old fashioned way.

One thing is for certain these communities appear adverse to a compromise with themselves let alone with FPL.  The Kendall leaders are pushing FPL for the power lines to go East while Pinecrest and South Miami leaders are lobbying for power lines to go further West.

For us in Homestead, home of the Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant and the Homestead Energy Services (HES), we're used to having power lines criss-cross our back yards. There are several substations within the city including interconnection sites between the companies. Homestead is unique in South Florida in that it has its own electric company whose service boundaries are not an exact overlay of city limits.  It's rather profitable as we have residents from outside the city pay HES versus FPL. This in effect helps keep property taxes down as the city funnels profits into the the general fund, but that's a story for another time.

The power lines in question are the same power lines that provide our neighbors to the north with the power they need to run their homes and their fully connected lives.  FPL doesn't have to worry about Homestead residents though, we will allow FPL to install their power lines with little fanfare since the route taken is mostly through the woods, marsh, and easements through a golf course already utilized by FPL. The established routes cross the Keys Gate Golf  course heading West before making a sharp turn North through the Everglades on their way to the Pensuco substation. Homestead surely won't be asking for the lines to be buried either unlike the other communities.  We're adamant about keeping electric bills within reason while avoiding unnecessary surcharges.  The choice will be made soon and we will keep you informed as this project progresses.

Kendall residents oppose giant FPL power lines - Kendall - MiamiHerald.com

Pinecrest mayor says state senator backs FPL against his constituents - Political Currents - MiamiHerald.com

http://www.fpl.com/environment/lines/tp.shtml