Tag Archives: fpl

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

August 1, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

“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

Business

FPL Researchers helping ensure Lightning’s Effects are gone in a Flash

July 27, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Since 1997, FPL has reduced the number of service interruptions for its customers by 15 percent. FPL is the only one of the 55 utilities in the state to have a research lab to simulate lightning and its potential impact in this manner.

Juno Beach, FL (July 27, 2012) — A team of engineers at Florida Power & Light Company works diligently to protect the electric grid from one very persistent and potentially destructive foe: lightning.

Florida sustains more lightning strikes than any other state in the U.S., and more than almost any country, too (second only to Rwanda, the world’s lightning capital). Within FPL’s 35-county service territory, there are approximately 250,000 lightning strikes each year. That “striking” distinction puts Florida’s electric infrastructure under siege. When a lightning bolt hits electrical equipment, it can cause power outages and flickers.

At a high-voltage “Lightning Lab” within FPL’s Reliability Assurance Center in Riviera Beach, Fla., engineers test equipment and research ways to reduce lightning’s impact on the grid, ultimately helping to reduce the number and duration of power outages. The engineering team tests the performance of its own equipment and insulators in the lab by zapping them with up to 2 million volts of electricity. Experimenting with simulated lightning allows the team to gather detailed data about the effects of lightning on FPL equipment and helps it discover ways to prevent future lightning-related problems.

“This is the one center to handle product evaluation, forensic and application research needs,” said FPL Reliability Assurance Center Manager John Fischer. “It is a hub where experts can do hands-on analysis and subject matter experts can quickly get analytic capabilities. During my 40 years at FPL as an engineer, I’ve used this lab many times on complex issues and would not have been able to find solutions without the range of advanced possibilities here.”

Since 1997, FPL has reduced the number of service interruptions for its customers by 15 percent.

FPL is the only one of the 55 utilities in the state to have a research lab to simulate lightning and its potential impact in this manner. Fischer says this is one of the ways FPL is able to provide its customers with reliable service the lowest bill in the state.

“The lightning lab, the entire Reliability Assurance Center and the talented engineers and experts who work here are definitely a benefit to our customers both in ensuring reliable service and keeping costs down,” Fischer said.

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

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

Energy

FPL Provides Energy Makeover to Oldest Animal Welfare Organization in Brevard County

July 21, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

“Our energy makeover team is helping to make the lowest electric bill in the state even lower by sharing tips from FPL’s energy efficiency programs and implementing easy, low-cost improvements that can save all customers even more money,” said Sandy Sanderson, FPL’s external affairs manager.

Juno Beach, FL (July 21, 2012) — Florida Power & Light Company, with the help of local contractors, provided an energy makeover to the Central Brevard Humane Society (CBHS) in Cocoa today. As part of FPL’s non-profit energy efficiency program, the CBHS received free efficiency upgrades that are expected to save the organization at least $2,200 annually on its electric bill.

FPL energy experts and local contractors installed a new air conditioning unit, conducted air conditioning duct work, and installed energy-efficient lighting to help save energy and money. FPL’s energy experts also provided CBHS with energy-efficiency improvement tips to make it easier for the organization to manage its monthly energy usage.

“As Brevard County’s oldest established animal welfare organization, the CBHS is an important part of our community and providing them with the resources to be more energy-efficient is a great accomplishment,” Cocoa Deputy Mayor Don Boisvert said. “Our partnership with FPL helps give organizations like ours the tools and information they need to save money and continue making a positive impact in the community.”

“Every dollar the CBHS can save on its energy bill is a dollar it can use to provide quality care to Brevard’s abandoned animals,” said Sandy Sanderson, FPL’s external affairs manager. “Our energy makeover team is helping to make the lowest electric bill in the state even lower by sharing tips from FPL’s energy efficiency programs and implementing easy, low-cost improvements that can save all customers even more money.”

Most of these energy efficiency upgrades 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.

To see highlights and photos from the CBHS energy makeover 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

Energy, Environment

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

July 12, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

“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.

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

Business, Environment

FPL Crews Help Restore Service to Mid-Atlantic Region

July 4, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

More than 300 Florida Power & Light Company workers are helping provide emergency restoration assistance to states severely impacted by violent storms that recently hit the Midwest and mid-Atlantic region.

Juno Beach, FL (July 4, 2012) — More than 300 Florida Power & Light Company workers are helping provide emergency restoration assistance to states severely impacted by violent storms that recently hit the Midwest and mid-Atlantic region. One team traveled from West Palm Beach to Maryland to help Pepco, a Washington D.C. utility, with its restoration efforts.

“Our travel team moved quickly and arrived on site without incident,” said FPL deputy incident commander T.L. Winder. “Once we got settled at the expansive staging site, our crews were given a safety briefing by Pepco and set out to evaluate the damage and start helping with the restoration.”

FPL’s response is part of the mutual assistance network in which utilities around the country provide assistance following major natural disasters. FPL crews and equipment were dispatched to Ohio, Maryland and Virginia, to aid in their restoration efforts after a powerful line of thunderstorms, with gusts between 60 and 90 mph, caused significant destruction that left millions of people without power. Before deploying crews, FPL works to ensure that its customers are taken care of and resources are available should any outages affect our service territory.

For FPL Incident Commander Jim Bush, he’d seen this devastation before when called to help with restoration efforts following Hurricane Rita in Texas. “This is very similar to hurricane-type damage. There’s extensive destruction with lots of trees down among the poles and lines,” he explained. “We’re working on the feeder backbone first, and then focus on getting the power back on in the neighborhoods.”

The FPL crews are working 16-hour days, through the July Fourth holiday, focused on getting the job done. Bush, an Army veteran, says he can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Fourth than helping others in their time of need.

“The customers we talk to are excited to see us out working on restoring the power and are glad there’s literally a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Bush.

The hilly terrain of Maryland is presenting some challenges for the Florida-based crew. “We had one team working on a 50-foot pole on the side of a steep hill that was engulfed in vegetation,” said Winder. “They’re not accustomed to the elevation changes they have here, but the crew succeeded in getting the job done right and doing it safely.”

“When called into action, we’re eager to assist, after all, the situation could have easily been reversed with FPL needing the help after a major storm,” said Bush. “It’s a great team effort and we’re glad we could lend a hand.”

For photos of the restoration effort visit: http://www.fpl.com/newsroom

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

Business

Florida Power & Light Company Partners with Food Distributor Cheney Brothers to support 300 Jobs in Southwest Florida

June 28, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Florida Power & Light Company’s special discounted economic development rate will help Cheney Brothers Inc., launch a $100 million distribution center in Charlotte County that will eventually employ about 300 people when it’s fully operational.

Juno Beach, FL (June 28, 2012) — Florida Power & Light Company‘s special discounted economic development rate will help Cheney Brothers Inc., one of the largest food service distributors in the Southeastern United States, launch a $100 million distribution center in Charlotte County that will eventually employ about 300 people when it’s fully operational.

Cheney Brothers is in the process of purchasing 35 acres right off Interstate 75 in Punta Gorda, for the new facility, which will serve customers from Marco Island through the Tampa Bay area.

“We need all the help from all the partners we can get, whether it’s our customer partners or our vendor partners, like Florida Power & Light,” said Bill Foley, President of Cheney Brothers, which is headquartered in Riviera Beach, Fla.

Businesses in FPL’s service territory already benefit from electric bills that are among the very lowest in the state and well below the national average. FPL’s economic development rates provide an additional benefit to new or expanding businesses that expand their electric demand by at least 350 kilowatts and create at least 10 new jobs.

“We’re pleased to play a role in Cheney Brothers’ expansion,” said Lynn Pitts, FPL Director of Economic Development. “FPL’s economic development rate provides an incentive to companies that agree to move to Florida or expand their operations here and create new jobs for Floridians.”

“The discount we get from Florida Power & Light is essential,” Foley said. “Along with fuel, our electric bill is probably our next biggest expense that we have at Cheney Brothers. So that discount helps us out initially and in the long-run also.”

The economic development rate is designed to be an incentive that will encourage new investment and job creation in Florida. Eligible business customers receive a declining discount on their standard base energy and demand charges over four to five years. Visit http://www.PoweringFlorida.com or contact FPL’s Office of Economic Development at PoweringFlorida@FPL.com for details.

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 on this story, including video and photos, visit: http://www.fpl.com/newsroom

Business, Energy

FPL Uses Infrared Technology to keep Service Reliability in the Top 25 Percent of Utilities Nationwide

June 23, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

“What I like best about my job is knowing that I’m making a difference for FPL customers every day and helping to deliver affordable and reliable power,” said Florida Power & Light’s Delivery Assurance Lead, Eli Cueto.

Juno Beach, FL (June 23, 2012) — Florida Power & Light‘s Delivery Assurance Lead, Eli Cueto, can see things most of us would never even notice. He sees problems before they develop. Think of him as a detective who patrols the electric grid.

“Doing this, I get to fulfill a lot of things that I like, which is field work, and investigating and uncovering potential problems,” he says.

This detective’s tool of choice? An advanced infrared camera, which he carries in a black suitcase as he patrols the power lines across Florida in his FPL van.

“If you’re looking at a section of an overhead line, everything could appear fine,” he says. “You could look at it with binoculars and still everything looks good.”

Cueto says if he stopped there, and relied only on his eyesight, he would miss the most important evidence of all – the clue that’s the key to delivering reliable service. Opening his suitcase and flipping on his infrared camera, Cueto reveals what’s really going on inside the fuse switch, fixed 60 feet high atop an FPL pole.

“The way it works is that the camera picks up the infrared energy being displayed, so the brighter the color, the hotter the temperature,” Cueto says, pointing to a purplish image on the camera screen.

In the center of the image, he points to a bright white circle. “What we are seeing right here is a hot fuse switch. We can see it right here on the camera that it is overheating. The temperature, it’s over 150 degrees, so we know that it’s a candidate for replacement.”

Cueto returns to his office and uploads the infrared image to his computer. He calls up a database that provides more information about the specific pole and switch. The information he discovers helps him create a work order for his team, which can then perform preventive maintenance on the equipment and avoid a potential outage for customers. Like a good detective, Cueto followed the clues, determined the cause and cracked the case.

“I think FPL sets a standard, because we actually take the initiative to go out there and evaluate all the facilities that we have,” says Cueto. He is part of a team of 26 FPL employees and contractors who use infrared technology to help provide reliable service.

“What I like best about my job is knowing that I’m making a difference for FPL customers every day and helping to deliver affordable and reliable power.”

To view photos and video of FPL’s infrared technology, visit http://www.fpl.com/newsroom.

Eli Cueto joined FPL in 2005 and began his career as a meter reader. He later worked in the Distribution service planning area first, as an associate project designer, assisting with trouble tickets and working on projects to help improve service reliability, and later, as a customer project manager, helping plan for power delivery to new and existing construction. In December 2010, Cueto transitioned into his current delivery assurance lead position, where his focus day in and day out is preventing problems to help ensure service reliability.

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

Business, Energy

FPL Installs New Poles to Strengthen Electric Grid and Help Communities Prepare for Hurricane Season

June 22, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

“FPL takes hurricane season very seriously and we prepare for it year-round,” says Keith Hardy, FPL’s vice president of Distribution.

Juno Beach, FL (June 22, 2012) — From Sarasota to Stuart, Miami to Merritt Island, drivers may not think much about the orange signs seen along Florida roadways warning of utility work ahead. However, if a hurricane strikes in the coming months, this seemingly insignificant work could help Florida Power & Light Company better serve its customers in these communities.

“FPL takes hurricane season very seriously and we prepare for it year-round,” says Keith Hardy, FPL’s vice president of Distribution. “We are investing $200 million this year to strengthen our electric grid, replace poles and improve reliable service. This is one of the ways we help prepare the communities we serve.”

Following the unprecedented hurricane seasons of 2004-2005, FPL, under the guidance of the Florida Public Service Commission, embarked on a long-term infrastructure strengthening effort to help communities better respond to severe weather. The work improves FPL’s service reliability throughout the year, but Hardy says its greatest value lies in its potential to help the utility restore power to customers faster after a storm strikes.

“We work closely with the governments, customers and first responders in the 35 counties we serve to identify critical infrastructure – facilities like hospitals, 911 centers, police and fire stations – places that provide for the health and safety of the public,” says Hardy. “We worked to improve the infrastructure around these facilities first, as we know they provide essential services to our communities.”

Since 2006, FPL has strengthened the electric grid serving many of the top critical facilities in the state, and is now expanding its efforts to include important thoroughfares – along with grocery stores, pharmacies and service stations – that can help communities return to “normalcy” faster. In these areas, FPL reinforces existing utility poles with stronger wood or concrete poles, some of which stand 55-feet tall and weigh more than 8,000 pounds. Stronger poles are expected to improve restoration time as setting new poles takes much more time than replacing downed wires.

”We have 280 residents and patients – and that’s a lot of lives to be responsible for,” says Carmen Shell, director of the Morse Geriatric Center in West Palm Beach, one of the critical care facilities FPL services. “Restoring power rapidly is the best thing that can happen because not everything works on a generator.”

Hardy reminds customers that hurricanes are devastating forces of nature, and that in a serious storm there will be power outages, which could be lengthy. He encourages customers to develop plans accordingly.

“While no utility can be storm-proof,” says Hardy, “FPL’s ongoing investments in line strengthening and storm readiness are designed to help limit the impact of storms on the electric system and enable the utility to restore service to customers faster when outages do occur.”

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

Business

FPL Gives Hope and Help to those in need through FPL Care To Share

June 8, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

The program has raised more than $15.7 million, and it has provided energy assistance to almost 68,000 Florida families in need.

Juno Beach, FL (June 8, 2012) — Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) developed the FPL Care To Share program in 1994. The program has raised more than $15.7 million, and it has provided energy assistance to almost 68,000 Florida families in need. One hundred percent of contributions raised from FPL customers, shareholders and employees go to help those in need – no contributions are used for fundraising or administrative purposes. More than 1,700 employees of FPL and its parent company, NextEra Energy, Inc. currently donate to the program.

No one should have to choose between food or medicine and electricity. Sadly, there are many elderly, disabled, and other individuals who are simply finding themselves in a financial crisis and facing these choices every day.

That is why Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) developed the FPL Care To Share program in 1994. The program has raised more than $15.7 million, and it has provided energy assistance to almost 68,000 Florida families in need.

FPL customer Ana Cisneros found herself in a financial crisis when the economy was slowing. Her business’ revenue wasn’t enough to pay for all of her bills. Recently divorced, she also needed to rethink how she could provide for her and her daughter and herself on just one income.

Fortunately, there was help. Not knowing what to do, Ana found herself at the Palm Beach County Human Services office in Riviera Beach, Fla. – one of more than 800 governmental, social service and faith-based agencies throughout Florida that administer FPL Care To Share funds.

Kate Cole, case worker at Palm Beach County Human Services said, “People are at their lowest and they feel so ashamed when they come in. And our job is to help them to see that we’re a team: the family or individual, the case worker and FPL.” She adds, “I think it’s important for people to know that the money they donate makes a tremendous impact on this community with people that are working hard and struggling.”

Ana was able to qualify for financial assistance through FPL’s Care To Share program, keep her lights on and her business going. “Now I am able to put one foot in front of the other and have a better tomorrow to look forward to,” she explains. “Sometimes that little bit of help makes a big difference.”

One hundred percent of contributions raised from FPL customers, shareholders and employees go to help those in need – no contributions are used for fundraising or administrative purposes. More than 1,700 employees of FPL and its parent company, NextEra Energy, Inc. currently donate to the program. FPL employee and FPL Care To Share donor Vicki Backus explains, “I know that when I donate to Care To Share, my funds are going to help someone and are being spent wisely.”

Visit http://www.FPL.com/caretoshare to hear Ana’s story, make a contribution and help make a difference. FPL customers can also donate by checking the Care To Share box on their bill.

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

Business

FPL Urges Customers to Prepare Now for Power Outages this Hurricane Season

May 31, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

FPL asks customers to be prepared to be without power for several days should a powerful storm bring devastation.

Juno Beach, FL (May 31, 2012) — As Floridians turn their attention to the tropics this storm season, Florida Power & Light Company reminds customers that no utility is hurricane proof. While the company’s careful investments since 2006 have made its electric system more resilient to severe weather, hurricanes are powerful forces of nature that cause significant damage, and including potential widespread electricity outages.

“Hurricanes are powerful forces of nature that can cause significant damage and widespread electricity outages,” said FPL President Eric Silagy. “FPL has a well-developed plan for storm restoration. We train rigorously and we are prepared.”

Customers’ storm plans, like those of FPL, should anticipate that a direct strike by a major hurricane could damage the electric system so significantly that many customers could experience power outages. FPL asks customers to be prepared to be without power for several days should a powerful storm bring devastation. The following tips will help customers to best be prepared for power outages this storm season:

FPL’s Storm Preparation Checklist for Customers
• Review family emergency plans for back-up power and relocating;
• Update the phone number and e-mail address on file with FPL;
• Keep a copy of a recent FPL bill in your storm kit so key phone numbers and account information are readily available;
• Ensure that you have all necessary adapters to charge cell phones or laptops from a generator, solar charger or car charger;
• Those dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining medical equipment should know relocation arrangements now for when a storm warning is issued;
• If customers haven’t done so already, they should have their trees properly trimmed by a trained line-clearing professional. This minimizes the potential for debris to impact the power lines for homes and neighborhoods. It is important to have debris cleared prior to a hurricane warning announcement when trash pickup is suspended. For more information on FPL’s tree trimming policies, visit Trees and Power Lines;
• Gather and test essential supplies needed during power outages:
o two-week supply of fresh batteries
o Flashlights
o Battery-operated radios
o Extension cords
o Emergency generators;
• Now is the time to test portable generators. Make sure the equipment works, know how to operate it and where to safely use the equipment. For more information, visit our Generator Safety web page.

How FPL Communicates with Customers Regarding a Storm
When outages occur, FPL understands that its customers need to know when their power will be restored so they can plan ahead. That’s why FPL communicates frequently through the news media and makes its communications accessible on smart phones and tablets, through such sites as:
• FPL website: http://www.FPL.com
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/insideFPL
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FPLconnect
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/FPL
• FPL blog: http://www.FPLblog.com
• FPL Power Tracker: http://www.FPLmaps.com

How Customers Can Best Communicate with FPL
After a storm, FPL is aware that customers are without power and urges them to call FPL only for emergency situations.
• FPL urges customers to keep its phone lines open for emergency situations.
• Customers should call 911 or 1-800-4-OUTAGE if they see a downed power line.
• FPL is aware that customers are without power so there is no need to report outages at this time. If you have already reported a downed power line, it is not necessary to call and report it again.
• However, if customers still find themselves without service, even though their neighborhood or area of business has been mostly restored, we want to hear from them. If customers are in this situation, they should call FPL at 1-800-4-OUTAGE, as they may be experiencing a more localized problem with their electric service and we want to restore their power safely and as quickly as possible.

FPL’s Pre-Storm Activities
Prior to the start of storm season, FPL conducts extensive training to prepare its employees to respond safely and as quickly as possible if a storm threatens FPL’s service territory. To get ready for storm season, FPL also coordinates assistance agreements with other utilities for out-of state support, orders restoration supplies and equipment, and secures staging sites throughout its 35-county service territory. These preparations enable the company to quickly deploy equipment and crews to storm-damaged communities.

FPL’s plan recognizes that restoration of power to its customers will vary not only on the path and intensity of the storm through FPL’s service territory, but also on how the storm impacts other utilities and how quickly additional restoration workers and supplies can reach Florida.

In addition, FPL works closely with emergency operations officials to update lists of Critical Infrastructure Facilities, such as hospitals, police and fire stations, communication facilities, water treatment plants, and transportation providers. This information is used to establish priorities for restoration in any communities that might be affected by a storm.

Year-round, FPL proactively makes its infrastructure more resilient to strong winds and less likely to be impacted by debris as part of its comprehensive, long-term plan to deliver reliable electric service, in good weather and bad. These efforts include:
• Clearing tree limbs and branches from power lines;
• Inspecting poles for strength and health;
• Upgrading poles, many of which are replaced with concrete or steel, and;
• Inspecting power lines and equipment with infrared technology.

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 approximately 4.6 million customer accounts and is a leading Florida employer with approximately 10,000 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while its typical residential customer bills, based on data available in December 2011, are about 25 percent 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