Chris Mullins presented an analysis of the optimal location for a new transmission line between Manatee and Sarasota counties in Florida. The analysis found: (1) the proposed corridor avoids conservation lands and wetlands, impacting less than 1% of wetlands in the study area; (2) the corridor impacts approximately 34 homes directly and 49 homes within 400 feet but avoids populated areas; (3) there are no schools or daycares within a quarter mile of the corridor. The presentation concluded the proposed corridor would have minimal environmental and community impacts and increase energy availability at a reasonable cost.

1. Bobwhite-Manatee Transmission Line Optimal
Location
Slide-by-Slide Breakdown
Chris Mullins
April 26, 2012
UWF GIS 4043/L
Slide #1 Bobwhite-Manatee Transmission Line Optimal Location
Good evening, my name is Chris Mullins. I was contracted by Florida Power and
Light Company to do some analysis on a project they are working on in your
communities. My analysis includes a lot of geographical data, which I analyze
against each other to look at different options and pieces of information possibly
overlooked.
The topic of this presentation will go over some of the different concerns and
issues residents might have with the project aimed at increasing energy
availability to the Manatee/Sarasota region.
Slide #2 Background Information
To go over my background real quick, as I said, my name is Chris Mullins. I have
worked as a GIS analyst for the government for eight years, and I am currently
consulting on this project for FPL.
In the spring of 2006, FPL reached out to your community seeking input and
analysis on the impact a new line running from the Manatee Energy Center to a
new center to be built in northern Sarasota County. After receiving initial
feedback, FPL came up with a proposed corridor that they felt would meet the
energy needs of the community but cause the least impact to the community and
the environment.

2. FPL was not the only party interested in proposing this power-line corridor, and
between August of 2007 and October of 2008, several public hearings were held
to decide the best option for the people of Manatee and Sarasota Counties. After
the proposals were gone over by state officials, judges, and politicians, FPL’s
proposal was chosen.
This presentation is being made, to ensure the peace of mind to FPL’s customers
and neighbors in that the decision that was made is really the best decision that
could have been made.
Slide #3 Timeline
This is a timeline of the events that have occurred so far. I would like to point out
that In May of 2008, the presiding judge convened the hearings on proposals, and
in October of 2008 Governor Charlie Christ and his cabinet voted unanimously to
approve this project.
Slide #4 Optimal Location
Again, in all, 14 proposals by four interested parties were considered. In the end
FPL’s proposal was chosen.
The proposed corridor begins at the Manatee Energy Center and concludes at a
site in northern Sarasota County where a new energy center would be built for
Sarasota County. As I will point out in the rest of my presentation, the current
plans do intend to use existing power-lines and resources for this project.
However, the final route within this corridor has not been decided yet so we can
not say with certainty where the exact rout will be and what current
infrastructure will be used or altered.
Slide #5 Concerns Addressed
Most of the concerns that FPL addressed were received through questionnaires
and public hearings, as well as a few e-mails that were received.
The main concerns that we will address are as follows:

3. Conservation Lands. What conservation lands are currently in the area, and will
they be affected by this proposal.
Wetlands. Wetlands are an important feature to the Southern Florida region.
What impact if any will the project have on this important ecosystem.
The location of the project in regards to home owners, land owners, schools and
day cares.
Finally, we will also address real quickly an approximate cost to build this project.
Slides # 6 and #7 Environmental Impacts
I looked over information from several state agencies, and in total there are six
conservation areas in the study area, most likely to contain a transmission line
from Manatee County to Sarasota County. Of these six areas, there are no
conservation areas that overlap the projected corridor of the new line. This
means that the transmission line will not go through any areas designated by the
state as conservation areas. There are three areas that border the current
projected corridor. It’s important to note that for two of these areas, the
proposed corridor is following public roads that are already bordering the
conservation lands. These are the Lake Manatee Lower Watershed and the Lake
Manatee State Park. The third area is the Heritage Ranch Conservation Easement,
but like I said, the transmission line would only possibly run parallel to the areas
borders and will have no real impact on the conservation lands.
When it comes to wetlands in the region, I looked at an area of over 200 square
miles surrounding the proposed corridor. In all there is over 137,720 acres of
wetlands just in the study area. This study area does not include all of Manatee
and Sarasota Counties. Of the wetlands that are within the proposed corridor,
they make up less than 1% of the 137,720 acres. In all it was approximately 398
acres.
To build a power-line approximately 24 miles between two counties, it does not
get much better for the environment than that.

4. Slides #8 and #9 Homeowner Impact
Using aerial imagery, I concluded that there are approximately 34 dwellings
within the projected corridor. I also looked at an area outside of the corridor by
400 ft. Within the 400 ft. buffer there are an additional 49 dwellings that could be
impacted by this project.
The corridor avoids heavily populated neighborhoods and with an estimated
population of over 700,000 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, this corridor avoids
the vast majority of the population in the region. It is well over 99.9%.
There are 258 parcels of land that are contained in or border the new power-line
projected corridor. There are 26 parcels that are completely contained within the
corridor.
It is important to note a few things. One, the majority of the land in question is
used as farmland, and the other land runs along the same lines as roads and
current power lines. For the parcels that are within the corridor, this does not
mean the power-line will take up all of that land. The corridor is meant to show
areas where a line could run through but it is not a guarantee. Most people do
not notice the power-lines that run through their neighborhoods, and once they
are there, should have very little impact on the area surrounding them. Farm
land, will still be able to be used for farming.
Slide #10 Impact on Children
The location of this corridor, was specifically chosen due to its location in relation
to schools and day cares. There are no schools or daycares inside the corridor or
within a quarter mile of it. The closest daycare is within a half mile of the corridor
and there is also one school that is within a half mile. All other schools and
daycares are further than a half mile from this project location.
Slide #11 Project Costs
As I said before, it is difficult to estimate the cost of this project without having
the route confirmed. I can say that on average it costs $1.6 million dollars to
construct one mile of Double Circuit, strung on both sides, lattice tower. This is

5. the top of the line so to say, transmitting 230kV. That estimate also does not
factor in major costs due to terrain, population density, or any removal costs. The
plan for this project is to use existing infrastructure wherever it is possible to
reduce costs and redundancy. This plan also includes the building of a new
energy center at the end of the line in northern Sarasota County. I do not have an
estimate for building costs involved with that part of the project. I can say a
rough estimate if no existing lines were used, and the top of the line double
circuit 230kV lines were put up, it would be over $38 million dollars for the lines
themselves. This is not really a fair estimate though since it goes against the plans
and does not include the new electrical center.
Slide #12 Conclusion
In conclusion I would like to first thank you for your time. This project has been
several years in the making and it could not have been done without the input
and participation from the general public. With the input and analysis provided
by you all, the projected corridor for a new transmission line from the Manatee
Energy Center to a new site in Sarasota County does seem optimal.
There is very little effect whatsoever to the environment. Land and home owners
for the vast majority of both counties will have no impact. Our children will not
be impacted in the least. And cost will be held to a minimum considering current
plans. The increased electrical services should also bring less prices to everyone
while serving a broader area.