The issue of FPL's new transmission lines is coming up again. FPL wants to run new transmission lines though South Miami and up US1 from new nuclear plants 18 miles away at Turkey Point. There is a meeting July 18 to discuss the issue. Again.
FPL’s “Eastern Preferred Transmission Line Corridor” would enter South Miami along SW 80th St, then turns up US 1, runs past South Miami Hospital and City Hall, and continues on through the heart of the South Miami into Coral Gables. Lines would be strung along monstrous concrete towers 105 feet tall.
Urban transmission lines are bad for the economy, and may harm your health
In recent studies, mortality from Alzheimer’s disease doubled in people residing within 165 feet of a transmission line and childhood leukemia is twice as common within 600 feet of a transmission line 2. Properties within sight of a transmission lines lose 10% off their real estate value, with similar consequences for the local economy and tax base. UM economist, Dr. Richard Weisskoff, characterized FPL’s proposed transmission lines as: “…both the assassin and graveyard of economic activity and growth”.
If you want to know more about economic costs and health hazards of transmission lines, look here:
http://tinyurl.com/transmission-lines
Sea level rise makes Turkey Point a really bad place for nuclear plants. The new transmission lines are tied to development of 2 new nuclear reactors at Turkey Point, situated between two national parks on a hurricane-swept coastline subject to storm surge and inundation from sea level rise. Remember Fukushima?
FPL has projected only one foot of sea level rise over the life of the plants (until 2080). Scientists are projecting 2-4 feet over this period, and it could be higher.
The storm surge model (SLOSH) used for safety calculations on FPL's nuclear application is out of date and underestimates potential surge heights. NOAA has a new model but FPL is still using the old model’s figures for their safety calculations.
It is prefered that the lines be shielded and be placed underground or not built at all, but the Transmission Line Siting Act (written by the utilities) gives only one way to fight new lines: propose an alternate corridor. Pinecrest and Coral Gables have proposed an alternate corridor that adds another set of lines to existing power line assemblages to the west. The City of South Miami is supporting these alternate corridor proposals.
PUBLIC MEETINGS - Please come and speak out. This is your last chance.
FPL always stacks the speaker’s roster and we need OUR voices heard.
The meeting is Thursday, July 18, 6:30 - 9:30 pm at the Coral Gables Youth Center (405 University Drive).
If you are busy or out of town that evening, here are three alternate dates:
Wednesday, July 17, 2:00-6:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm, Keys Gate Golf and Country Club Banquet Hall, 2300 Palm Drive, Homestead, Florida.
Tuesday, July 23, 3:00-6:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm, Miami Airport Convention Center, Room MACC1, 711 NW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL
Thursday, July 25, 6:30-9:00 pm, Miami Airport Convention Center, Room MACC1, 711 NW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL
Here is a link to a set of talking points you can use to support the Alternate Corridor Proposals and oppose new nuclear plants at Turkey Point: http://tinyurl.com/talking-points-2013
Tropical Audubon Society is hosting a reception and preparation session, Monday July 1st, 5:30-8 pm at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Drive. Optional, but fun.
If you plan on speaking at one of the public testimony sessions, do me a small favor and contact South Miami citizen activist Antoinette Fischer who is coordinating South Miami’s grass-roots turnout. Let her know you are coming and to which session. Antoinette's email is toinettefsh@gmail.com
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