Action Today To Preserve Tomorrow

            Running the entire width and length of Wellington from east to west and from south to north are Florida Power and Light right-of-ways which are about 340 feet wide.  These are the right-of-ways we see with their several sets of high-voltage transmission lines as we enter Wellington from Southern Boulevard, from Forest Hill Boulevard and from Lake Worth Road.  These right-of-ways were acquired before Wellington’s existence, when it was only Acme Improvement District and the Flying Cow Ranch.

Originally the only lines were on wooden H-frame poles on these right-of-ways.  In 1978 or 1979, distribution lines were added near the edges of the right-of-ways.  In 1986 FPL announced plans to add an additional 230kv line on the east-west right-of-way.  Instead two sets of lines on two old H-frame wooden poles on the east-west right-of-way were replaced with two 230kv lines on 90-feet tall H-frame concrete poles.  This May FPL announced plans to construct an additional 230kv line along both sets of right-of-ways. 

Making it clear that even further expansion is planned, final designs were presented on June 14^th by Florida Power and Light for the additional transmission line to be built from the Corbett Substation near Twenty-Mile Bend through Wellington on these existing right-of-ways and into Broward County.

            FPL says it will replace the 138kv line on the H-frame wooden poles, which are currently located in the middle of the east-west right-of-way, with a single pole construction, and will add a single-pole 230kv line in the same area. This means that at this time no additional land will be utilized by the new transmission line, no additional land will be cleared, and no existing trees will be cut.  On the north-south right-of-way, an additional single-pole 23k line will be placed among the existing lines.  The line on the old wooden H-frame poles on the eastern side of that right-of-way will remain. 

            Although averting an immediate clearing of our green spaces and tree canopy, FPL warns that future expansion will occur on both right-of-ways. Unless other solutions are developed, FPL says it plans future clearing of these green spaces and tree canopy to permit more transmission lines. The trees that are now being saved will be endangered in the future. The only unknown is when that expansion will occur.  However, examining the current rate of population growth in South Florida, the current Scripps proposal for Palm Beach County, the impending potential expansion of the Corbett Substation to an 1100 megawatt natural gas-fired power plant intended to be in service in 2009, it is a logical assumption that we will be receiving notice of additional powerlines sooner rather than later. 

            There are options available if Wellington wishes to retain these valuable forested green spaces. FPL has reacted positively to the possibility of an easement swap, finding new land on which it can build transmission lines in return for vacating the remaining portion of both right-of-ways and which cross approximately 164 properties.  If suitable land can be found within the City of Wellington or Acme Improvement District boundaries, the southernmost portion of the east-west right-of-way and the westernmost portion of the north-south right-of-way, on which FPL has not yet built, would become City of Wellington easements.  This would require the discovery of land that is both available and acceptable to FPL. Of course, other options to preserve the beauty and value of our community must also be explored.  

In addition, residents have raised other concerns about FPL which need to be addressed.  Among these is notice of future powerline sitings.  To date the lines FPL constructed in this area have been exempt from the Transmission Line Siting Act. As citizens we must address this exemption. Additional concerns which must be addressed include the management of the FPL right-of ways both vegetative and otherwise; preserving, protecting and enhancing the existing tree canopy; ridding properties along the right-of-ways of the Class I invasive species (Brazilian Pepper, Melaleuca, Rosary Pea, etc.) and replacing them with native vegetation. It is crucial that we make ourselves and our community more energy aware and energy smart. We must not forget that it is customer demand, as well as the location of future communities that drives the siting of powerlines and power plants.

            Conflicts between the beauty of our community and FPL have existed for many years. This is an opportunity to transform current concern into a long-term solution.  Solving these unusual right-of-way dilemmas which face us in Wellington can be done if we act promptly.  It requires effort on our behalf.  FPL has other priorities and will not initiate this process. FPL will respond to a sustained, committed effort by a united community.  If we are sincere about preserving and enhancing the beauty of our community, we must begin this process now.  If you are interested in serving on an ad hoc committee to address the energy future of Wellington, or if you have any particular interest, area of expertise or service you can offer, please contact Dennis Yuzenas by email at yuzenas@prodigy.net or by telephone at 792-0740.

Debbie Evans, Wellington resident, 798-8205.  Email debevans@adelphia.net