[VIDEO] FPL Port Everglades Plant Demolished
On July 16, FPL demolished their 1960s-era Port Everglades Power Plant and in its place are building a new, more fuel efficient plant that runs on clean, low-cost American natural gas.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2014 and when the new power plant comes online in 2016 it will:
- Help keep bills low for our customers
- Create jobs for Floridians
- Boost the local economy
- Be better for our environment
Efficiency/Low Bill
The new FPL plant will run on 35 percent less fuel, which will help keep customer bills low. The improved fuel efficiency means the plant will save hundreds of millions of dollars in fuel costs – a savings that FPL will pass along to customers, dollar for dollar. Investments in more efficient power plants are one reason FPL’s typical residential customer bill is significantly lower than the national average and the lowest of all 55 electric utilities in Florida.
Energy Independence
Building clean energy plants that use domestic energy sources, like natural gas, is also helping FPL reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. Since 2001, the company has dramatically slashed its use of foreign oil by 98 percent – from more than 40 million barrels to less than 1 million barrels in 2012.
Environmental Impact
The new FPL plant will be much cleaner and better for the environment. Because of the latest technology, the new plant will cut the carbon dioxide emissions rate in half and reduce overall air emissions by more than 90 percent, which is like taking 46,000 cars off I-95 each year.
Economic Impact
This investment will boost the economy by creating jobs and generating additional tax revenue for local communities. The project will create an estimated 650 direct jobs during the height of construction, and support many local businesses. Beginning with the first full year of operation, this investment will start delivering approximately $20 million in new tax revenue annually to local governments and schools such as the City of Hollywood, Broward County and Broward County Public Schools.
