As part of its commitment to changing Florida\’s energy future, Florida Power & Light Company today announced that the four red-and-white-striped, 350-foot-tall stacks and 7,500-ton boilers at its 1960s-era Port Everglades Power Plant in Hollywood, Fla., will be demolished on July 16, 2013, to make way for a new, high-efficiency, clean power plant.
\”This important investment has received broad support from the community, environmentalists, business leaders and Florida Public Service Commission – all of whom recognize the significant benefits – including fuel savings, reliability, reduced emissions, job creation and increased tax revenue for the local community,\” said FPL President Eric Silagy. \”We\’re excited to take another step toward making us more energy independent than ever before.\”
Environmental Impact
By rebuilding this plant with the latest technology, FPL\’s environmental profile – already among the best in the United States – will improve. Compared to the former plant, the new plant will cut the carbon dioxide emissions rate in half and reduce air emissions by more than 90 percent. That\’s the equivalent of removing about 46,000 cars from the road each year.
Economic Impact
The project will also create an estimated 650 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs during the height of construction, and support many local businesses. And in the first full year of operation alone, this investment will deliver approximately $20 million in new tax revenue to local governments and school districts.
Source: Market Watch