Category Archives: Environment

iSocket in every home in Europe!

The iSocket® family of intelligent devices was launched by Intellectronics, Finland in 2011 and has gone from strength to strength. These are designed to control electrical equipment remotely and/or provide a remote security system for the premises. The essential benefits of these products are reflected in the slogan: “Control your home, Save energy, Save money”. Intellectronics believe that every householder wants, and in fact needs, this type of device in their home. Hence the company motto: “iSocket in every home”.

“In line with their objective “iSocket in every home” Intellectronics today have made their product available to everyone in Europe.”

Intellectronics believe householders want to control their homes remotely, primarily to save money but also due to the heightened awareness of the need to save energy. iSocket GSM Power Sockets achieve this in a new way. The GSM power socket is a generation of a new type of device for just this purpose. GSM power socket technology is not yet commonplace and Intellectronics offer this technology in the belief that it will make the GSM socket as popular as today’s GSM mobile telephones.

In line with this concept, Intellectronics has opened iSocket e-Store Europe to supply the countries where distribution has not yet been established. This is Intellectronic’s first e-Store. Their US and rest of the world launch – iSocket e-Store World – is scheduled for January 2013.

Press Contact:
PL106, Varkaus
Finland
+358923163010
informbox@intellectronics.fi
www.intellectronics.fi

 

10 Ways to Have an Energy Fit Holiday

The holidays can be an expensive time of year with plenty of gift giving, house guests and festive décor, making an impact on the wallet. While FPL customers already have the lowest energy bills in the state, the company is helping its customers make their bills even lower with 10 Ways to Have an Energy Fit Holiday.

Juno Beach, FL (November 28, 2012) — The holidays can be an expensive time of year with plenty of gift giving, house guests and festive décor, making an impact on the wallet. While FPL customers already have the lowest energy bills in the state, the company is helping its customers make their bills even lower with 10 Ways to Have an Energy Fit Holiday.

“Getting ready for the holidays can require a lot of energy, but most people probably aren’t thinking about the energy costs when it comes to entertaining, gift buying and decorating,” said Tim Fitzpatrick, vice president of Marketing & Communication for FPL. “The holidays are all about traditions, so by adding these energy-efficient changes FPL customers can be energy fit for years to come.”

1. Deck the halls with LEDs. When it comes to holiday lighting, LED lights are the bright choice to get you more for your money. The amount of power it takes to operate just one 7-watt incandescent holiday bulb could power two 24-foot LED strings – enough to light a six foot tree. Additionally, LED light strings last about 10 times longer.

2. Set time on your side. Set timers for your holiday displays to turn off before bedtime so there is no need to burn the lights all night long.

3. Switch your non-holiday lights. Before overnight guests arrive, switch out guest room and common area lighting to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Each CFL bulb you install will save you about $50 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

4. Turn it off. Remind guests to turn off lights and fans when they leave the room. Stopping one ceiling fan from running all the time and turning at least one light off when you leave the room can save you more than $7 a month on your electric bill.

5. Stop peeking! Ovens lose a lot of heat when opened and require significant energy to heat back up to the appropriate temperature. Instead, when you have to sneak-a-peek, turn the oven light on and look through the interior window.

6. Choose glass or ceramic pans for the oven. These pans heat faster than metal ones and allow you to set the temperature 25 degrees lower than a recipe suggests for the same cooking time.

7. Don’t forget your crock-pot. Use smaller appliances such as crock-pots, microwaves and toaster ovens when possible. These can be much more energy-efficient for side dishes or small meals.

8. Select energy-efficient electronics. When it comes to buying gifts for your loved ones, opt for a laptop computer over a desktop computer. Laptop computers require 50 to 80 percent less power than a desktop computer.

9. Let the star be your guide. Look for the ENERGY STAR logo when purchasing larger electronics or appliances. Newer ENERGY STAR models meet stricter requirements and can save up to 40 percent on energy over standard models.

10. Give the gift of light. Use solar-powered pathway or security lights for your home or as a gift to the person who loves being outside in the evening.

For more ways to get energy fit year-round take an Online Home Energy Survey at http://www.FPL.com/energyfit.

About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with approximately 10,000 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla. – based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit http://www.FPL.com.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
kristy.kennedy@rbbpr.com
http://www.fpl.com/energyfit

FPL Gives Thanks to 50 Sanford Families with Free Home Energy Makeovers

“FPL customers have the lowest electric bills in the state, and these energy-efficiency tips will help them continue to save through the holidays,” said Larry Volenec, FPL’s external affairs manager.

Juno Beach, FL (November 21, 2012) — Sanford residents have something extra to be thankful for, just in time for Thanksgiving. In partnership with the City of Sanford, Florida Power & Light Company provided 50 local families with free Home Energy Makeovers. FPL experts installed energy-efficient upgrades to help residents save money on their electric bill.

Approximately 60 energy experts from FPL and employee volunteers from the City of Sanford traveled through neighborhoods to deliver the gift of energy-efficiency upgrades to residents, saving these FPL customers up to 25 percent monthly on their electric bills.

Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett, Commissioner Velma Williams and the Goldsboro Front Porch Council of Sanford joined the FPL volunteers and helped out with energy-efficient upgrades as part of the Home Energy Makeover team. “Our partnership with FPL gives residents of Sanford access to the tools and information they need to learn to conserve energy and to save money,” Mayor Jeff Triplett said. “The Home Energy Makeover is a great way for Sanford residents to kick-off the holiday season with savings.”

Upgrades performed included: installing lifetime air conditioning filters, compact fluorescent lights, weather stripping, and water-saving showerheads and faucets, as well as inserting refrigerator and freezer thermometers.

“FPL is proud to partner with the City of Sanford to educate residents on how to reduce their energy use and save on their monthly expenses,” said Larry Volenec, FPL’s external affairs manager. “Our energy-makeover team shared tips and advice on easy, low-cost improvements that can benefit all families throughout the service territory. FPL customers have the lowest electric bills in the state, and these tips will help them continue to save.”

Most of these energy-efficiency upgrades can be adopted by any FPL customer looking to make smarter, cleaner energy choices. Customers can learn about the improvements installed during Home Energy Makeovers by visiting the Energy Savings Toolkit section at http://www.FPL.com/ohes and taking a free, online Home Energy Survey.

About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with approximately 10,000 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla. – based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit http://www.FPL.com.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
amelia.gomez@rbbpr.com
For more information, visit: http://newsroom.fpl.com/SanfordHEMI

Energy-Efficient Donations help Fort Myers Homeless Organization save on its Electric Bill

Businesses and organizations looking to better manage their energy use and save on their monthly bills can take FPL’s free Business Energy Evaluation.

Juno Beach, FL (October 3, 2012) — Today, Florida Power & Light Company and local contractors led an effort to benefit a nonprofit organization that helps those in need every day. Fort Myers-based Community Cooperative Ministries Incorporated (CCMI) received a free energy makeover from FPL, which will help the organization save at least $3,000 a year in electricity costs.

Incorporated in 1984, the CCMI is dedicated to ending hunger in Lee County by providing nutritious meals, groceries, quality early childhood education, social services, case management and referral to the homeless, homebound, seniors, working poor, children and the frail in our community. The agency provides more than 14,000 meals each month through their Everyday Café & Marketplace and Home Delivered Meals programs. CCMI also educates 40 children in its Community Montessori, offers homeless and comprehensive case management services through its United Way Resource House, oversees an emergency mobile food pantry and supplies weekend backpacks full of food to more than 2,500 children each school year.

“We are so appreciative and thankful to FPL and its partners for their generosity and hard work in making our organization more energy-efficient,” said Tracey Galloway, CEO of Community Cooperative Ministries Incorporated. “It feels good to know that there are companies out there that take an active role helping those in need in our community. The money we save on our electric bill will help us to provide more comprehensive services to the homeless in our community.”

FPL and local contractors added film to all windows to save energy by reducing solar heat gain in summer and retaining heat in winter. Other upgrades included the installation of energy-efficient lighting and the addition of new freezer curtain strips in the organization’s large walk-in freezer to keep chilled air inside and energy bills even lower.

“We are very grateful for the CCMI’s important role in the community,” said FPL Community Relations Specialist, Tim Moore. “We’re happy that we are able to give back to such an integral organization in our neighborhood. This makeover has allowed us to give the CCMI a long-term return on the investments we make here today at no charge to them. FPL customers have the lowest electric bills in the state, and these upgrades will help them continue to save and further help others who need assistance.”

Most of the energy efficiency upgrades that were completed today can be adopted by any business customer looking to make smarter energy choices. Businesses and organizations looking to better manage their energy use and save on their monthly bills can take FPL’s free Business Energy Evaluation.

About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with approximately 10,000 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla. – based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit http://www.FPL.com.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
amelia.gomez@rbbpr.com
http://www.newsroom.fpl.com

IL 1st Congressional District Cook County Voters Support Peloquin Suburban Preservation

The first election using the 1st Congressional Redistricted South Side of Chicago and their Southwest Suburbs extending into Will County has city voters crossing over to support the states suburban life style.

With 74% of the new district voters being from the original 1st district, many of original voters are pushing to preserve their weekend getaways in the suburbs and the continued expanse of the commuter train stations for their suburban and rural lifestyle.

City Folks are now realizing they’re far more dependent on their rural and suburban agriculture businesses and how city politics overlook the needs of the rural and suburban growth at their cost.

It’s a wake-up call for many in Cook County; with Will County positioned as one of the new “Agriculture Cross Roads Of America”, their grain export business offers significant growth in the emerging markets such as Viet Nam, Russia, and China, and that means more jobs, revenue for the state and lower costs for their districts agriculture needs.

This 1st Congressional Districts election is fast becoming the center stage for a nation, as Big City residents learn “Intermodal Growth” is the ticket to world competition, not a party ticket.

You simply cannot achieve Intermodal Growth for the agriculture business with the city politicians quest to keep the spend in the city at the expense of the state’s best opportunity to sustain and gain more jobs outside its original district. Here is a short video clip on Intermodal Job Growth.

As the 3rd largest city in the U.S., the voters are realizing they’re dismal job growth has been limited to their federally subsidized projects within the city versus rebuilding the city through better decisions on how to compete globally within the state.

A Win Win situation, without a solution for decades, it’s time for a change, and it starts with educating the people on how to best affect change, and why. There’s a need here, a need to turn things around before we lose the opportunity to reduce our state and nations overall deficit, which ultimately results in the loss of the federal funding we’ve grown to know as the way the City Politicians create more jobs.

The Don Peloquin Campaign for the 1st Congressional District supports growth through voter education. Many people are totally unaware that if Congress doesn’t pass the new Farm Bill, you may as well forget about the food stamp program with its $80 billion a year, or 80 percent of all spending in the $500 Billion Farm Bill. Our position is to grow globally with the best opportunities, and our suburbs and rural areas have the best potential of securing grants for jobs like the $6 million awarded to UW-Madison. That focuses on encouraging more farm-to-school programs like the Research, Education, Action and Policy Food Group’s farm-to-school program, which supplies area schools with fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables. We need a well balanced spend to gain the maximum benefits for all.

The Time For Change Independent Voice:  Dedicated To Public Announcements That Affect Our Suburban and Rural Life. We simply state what’s before us from the eyes and ears of those affected.  Get Out And Vote For A Change, Visit www.peloquinforcongress.com and read for yourself.

IL 1st Congressional District Don Peloquin Voters Rush To Oust Bobby

The Republicans rush to derail the Metra’s $141 million Englewood Flyover Project hasn’t deterred the supporters of Don Peloquin; they’re climbing aboard his “Time For Change” campaign like a freight train.

Well know n for his hands on “let’s get this going attitude” and 25 productive years as mayor of Blue Island IL., the people of the newly redistricted 1 st Congressional District are rushing to get Bobby out. They’re not forgetful of how Don helped elect the first Hispanic and Afro-American Alderman for the city of Blue Island and they don’t want the Chicago City Politicians in charge of their districts destiny.

The most significant increase in Don’s voter support have been from many of those who are now affected by the redistricting. Many didn’t even realize the impact of it until Don woke them up with his “Unless you want all for Chicago and nothing for the suburbs and our rural areas, you’d had better get out and vote for a change. This rush to get Bobby out is more of a community need than a party vote.

New to the 1 st district, Will County residents are waking up fast and have become a large voice for the Don Peloquin “Time For Change” campaign. They don’t call it Insight, it’s hindsight, either way you slice it, being controlled by the “tentacles of Cook County politics” has never benefitted the suburban and rural areas, it’s like being robbed of our rights to live outside of the city. They even wrote and signed their own “Declaration of Independence” a Grass Roots “We The People” approach to nothing less than inciting a large scale riot in the Burbs in order to affect change.

The buzz and the chatter in some of the most highly read online communities likepatch.com is really heating up, and these pro Don Peloquin “Time For Change” discussions have taken on a flavor with some spice, like “Caliente”, it’s that hot.

It’s all about “Get Out And Vote” Know the Dates

Sept. 27:  First day mail ballots will be sent out

Oct. 9:  Last day to register to vote

Oct. 10:  First day of grace period registration and voting

Oct. 22: First day of early voting

Nov. 1: Last day to request a mail ballot, including military and overseas voters

Nov. 3: Last day of early voting; last day of grace period registration and voting

Nov. 4:  In-person absentee voting begins at the Clerk’s downtown Chicago office

Nov. 5:  Postmark deadline for absentee ballots; last day of in-person absentee voting at the Clerk’s downtown Chicago office and five suburban courthouse mini-centers

Nov. 6: General election

The Time For Change Independent Voice: Dedicated To Public Announcements That Affect Our Suburban and Rural Life. We simply state what’s before us from the eyes and ears of those affected. Get Out And Vote For A Change, Visit www.peloquinforcongress.com and read for yourself.

Florida Power & Light Energizes Classrooms with Zany, New Educational School Show

“We know that many teachers reach into their own pockets to supplement their teaching and to help bring lessons to life,” said FPL’s Education Program Manager, Maureen Wilt.

Juno Beach, FL, USA (September 13, 2012) — The fast-paced educational school show, “Men in Plaid: The Kilowatt Connection,” is energizing classrooms throughout Florida Power & Light Company‘s service territory. The program, featuring an incredible cast of characters, is available free of charge to teachers who are looking to enrich their science curricula for the 2012-13 school year.

“Men in Plaid: The Kilowatt Connection” delivers important energy conservation messages through an engaging cast of characters including Moldy and Skuller, The Boss, Ooot Blatuu, and The Slug. The foursome travels the planet finding ways electricity is being used unsafely and unwisely. The cast teaches students how energy is made, used and wasted and why it’s important to conserve it.

“We know that many teachers reach into their own pockets to supplement their teaching and to help bring lessons to life,” said FPL’s Education Program Manager, Maureen Wilt. “It’s our hope that programs like this will inspire students to be energy conservation advocates in their homes and ease the educational load on Florida teachers.”

The show is performed by professional actors from The National Theatre for Children based in Minneapolis, Minn. This organization specializes in writing and performing educational programs for children nationwide using simple sets and audience participation.

The 25-minute live theatre performance is offered to kindergarten through fifth-grade students in FPL’s service territory. The show can be performed at individual schools in the gym, cafeteria or any large assembly area where students can be seated on the floor. Each show includes grade-appropriate workbooks for each student, and comprehensive online teacher guides.

To learn more about arranging a performance or to see the tour schedule, visit http://www.fpl.com/community/learning/show.shtml.

About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with approximately 10,000 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla. – based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit http://www.FPL.com.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
amelia.gomez@rbbpr.com
For photos visit: http://www.fpl.com/newsroom

FPL Marks Hurricane Andrew Anniversary as a Time to Remember, Learn and Prepare

“At FPL, hurricane preparation is now part of our daily operations, every day we’re not in a storm we’re preparing for one,” said Keith Hardy, FPL’s vice president of Distribution.

Juno Beach, FL (August 10, 2012) — On Aug. 24, Florida and the nation will observe the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, one of the most dramatic and devastating natural disasters in modern history. For those who lived through the storm and witnessed its incredible destruction first hand, this month is a time of solemn remembrance. And for everyone across the state of Florida and all along the Eastern seaboard and the Gulf Coast, Andrew’s anniversary is an occasion to learn from the past and to recognize the unpredictable and powerful nature of hurricanes, along with the absolute necessity of good planning and preparation throughout every hurricane season.

When Andrew struck just south of Miami, it made landfall with peak sustained winds of 165 miles per hour, and gusts of up to 175 mph. Now classified as a rare Category 5, the hurricane pushed a massive storm surge up Biscayne Bay, and delivered more than 7 inches of rain along the core of its path. Damages from the storm totaled more than $25 billion dollars throughout the Bahamas, Florida and the Gulf states, with thousands of homes lost and many more damaged.

FPL’s storm preparedness and recovery processes were also significantly challenged by Hurricane Andrew. As crews worked feverishly to restore power after the storm, FPL developed and perfected some of the systems now in place to map storm damage and to estimate restoration times.

“At FPL, hurricane preparation is now part of our daily operations, every day we’re not in a storm we’re preparing for one. On this anniversary, we urge our customers to prioritize disaster planning too,” said Keith Hardy, FPL’s vice president of Distribution. “We are always working to help the communities we serve prepare for the next storm. Every year we make multi-million dollar investments in our infrastructure to make it more resilient.”

In the past two decades, advances in technology have changed every step in the hurricane preparation and recovery process. New forecasting tools allow for more frequent assessments of a storm’s path and intensity, and better computer modeling has improved accuracy, especially on the intensity front. At the same time, technology has altered the way that information is communicated – before, during and after a hurricane. Today, storms can be tracked on-line, on mobile devices, through social media outlets, and of course through traditional media sources.

“In the past twenty years, our ability to respond to hurricanes and to keep our customers informed of our progress has improved dramatically with the advent of advanced technologies, and FPL is working to bring new tools to the forefront every day,” said Hardy.

FPL has harnessed technology to enhance the way that it communicates with customers before and after hurricanes, and the way that it pre-positions restoration crews and models the damage to its system from a storm. To help with preparation, FPL offers customers a wealth of information and tips on its website, http://www.FPL.com. After a hurricane, FPL offers constant updates and information about the power restoration process through its website, which is mobile friendly, and through Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/insideFPL), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/FPLconnect) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/FPL). FPL’s blog (http://www.FPLblog.com) is also an important source of news.

Technology advancements also allow FPL to inform customers about the post-storm restoration process faster. For example, hours after a storm, a preliminary restoration estimate is created through computer modeling based on historical data. It will change as damage reports from the field are complete, but it’s intended to help customers and communities make initial plans. At the same time, technology gives FPL the ability to streamline and shorten the restoration process by providing real-time location of crews and crew movements through a super-GPS technology called Restoration Spatial View.

“But the fact is, while much has changed since Andrew reached our shores,” said Hardy, “one simple truth remains the same: hurricanes carry with them a potentially overwhelming destructive power, and when a major storm hits, power will be interrupted, trees will fall and water will rise. Floridians must understand this fact and make every preparation for it.”

To view photos, please visit: http://www.fpl.com/newsroom

About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with approximately 10,000 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla. – based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit http://www.FPL.com.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
amelia.gomez@rbbpr.com
http://www.fpl.com

Florida Power & Light Company Encourages Customers to get ‘Energy Fit’ and make their Bill even Lower

“We’re committed to helping our customers manage their energy use to help keep their bills low,” says Sondra Houhoulis, an FPL Energy Expert.

Juno Beach, FL (August 1, 2012) — Have you ever wondered what it costs to power your television or your refrigerator?

Florida Power & Light Company‘s new “energy fit” campaign answers those questions and wants customers to think about energy savings in a new way. The campaign shows the benefits of applying simple energy-saving tips by comparing how those savings could power popular household appliances.

Sondra Houhoulis, an FPL Energy Expert featured in the campaign, says customers may not realize the effect from a few simple changes. “By making simple changes like turning your air conditioner’s thermostat up by one degree, it gives you enough savings in one month to be able to power: your home for one day, your refrigerator for 29 days or your 50-inch TV for 40 days. This simple change is just one of the ways you can save with the improved FPL Online Home Energy Survey.”

Houhoulis recommends FPL customers take advantage of free tools like the Online Home Energy Survey. Furthermore, she adds, not only is it well worth your time, but taking the improved Online Home Energy Survey is easier than ever. “It’s the most convenient way to get personalized, expert advice on how to save energy and money.”

“We’re committed to helping our customers manage their energy use to help keep their bills low,” says Houhoulis. FPL residential customers have the lowest bills out of all 55 utilities in the state and bills 25 percent below the national average.

To get energy fit and make your bill even lower, visit http://www.FPL.com/energyfit. Take the Online Home Energy Survey between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30 for a chance to win a $5,000 Energy Fit Makeover. For videos, please visit: http://www.newsroom.fpl.com.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
amelia.gomez@rbbpr.com
http://www.fpl.com

FPL and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center Partner to Rescue Sea Turtles Tilly and Kahuna

“There’s nothing better than witnessing a rehabbed sea turtle as it disappears into the surf,” said Amy Albury, director of sustainability, FPL. “If the sick turtles we find could talk, they would tell you that without the help of FPL and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, they probably wouldn’t have survived much longer in the open ocean.”

Juno Beach, FL (July 12, 2012) — With names like Kahuna and Tilly, you would think they would be hanging out with characters like Moondoggie in a Gidget movie, but that’s where any similarities would end.

Tilly and Kahuna are two loggerhead sea turtles. They are linked to one another because they were both recovered from a canal at Florida Power & Light Company‘s St. Lucie Nuclear plant by onsite biologists and then sent to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) in Juno Beach, Fla., for rehabilitation and recently released.

Tilly, a teenager in turtle years, was severely anemic, dehydrated, hypoglycemic and suffered from other maladies when admitted to LMC in April 2012. Kahuna, one of LMC’s longest admission-to-recovery residents, appeared to be suffering from every surfer’s worse nightmare when she was admitted about two years ago – a shark attack. Part of her left front flipper was missing and there were several deep lacerations on her right front flipper that required surgery. In addition, she had developed a bone infection. Antibiotics, vitamins and nutritional therapy were recommended for both turtles as part of their respective recovery processes.

“There’s nothing better than witnessing a rehabbed sea turtle as it disappears into the surf,” said Amy Albury, director of sustainability, FPL. “If the sick turtles we find could talk, they would tell you that without the help of FPL and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, they probably wouldn’t have survived much longer in the open ocean.”

This has been a landmark year in monitoring Florida’s sea turtle population with a record number of sea turtle nests found along Florida beaches in 2012. Even Kahuna is getting in on monitoring efforts as she was fitted with a global positioning satellite tracking device so researchers and turtle lovers can track her whereabouts.

“FPL conducts the necessary assessments and does preliminary evaluations of turtles before they are brought to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center for treatment,” said Dr. Charles A. Manire, director of research and rehabilitation, Loggerhead Marinelife Center. “The company’s comprehensive sea turtle program allows us to share data and develop an important resource to help these magnificent creatures.”

Within days of each other, Tilly and Kahuna made their way back to the ocean in separate “sand carpet” ceremonies befitting a blockbuster movie premiere attended by legions of adoring fans. Tilly was released at a fighting weight of 95 pounds and Kahuna tipped the scales at 209 pounds as they lumbered into the choppy surf. Tilly, formerly weighed 86 pounds; Kahuna was 172 pounds when first admitted.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
kristy.kennedy@rbbpr.com
http://www.fpl.com