Letter of Ros-Lehtinen to President of FPL and statement from the Congresswoman on this important issue

In Letter To Florida Power & Light's President, Ros-Lehtinen States Her Continued Opposition
To Company’s Plan To Construct Overhead Transmission Lines
Through Neighborhoods In Her Congressional District

 Miami, Florida --- In a strongly worded letter to Florida Power & Light's (FPL) President, Eric Silagy, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, (R-FL) stated her firm opposition to the company’s plans to build overhead transmission lines through neighborhoods in her district. The neighborhoods impacted by FPL’s current plans are Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and other communities adjacent to the company’s preferred purpose US1 corridor.

Ileana stated in the missive to FPL that her constituents have expressed to her their united and strong opposition to these plans. The Congresswoman also stated that if FPL followed through on its current path to build the overhead transmission lines along these neighborhoods, it would visually scar carefully developed city improvements, decrease property values, harm businesses, counteract taxpayer’s investments, violate long standing legal agreements and land use codes, and impede future developments along US1. All of these negative effects are unacceptable to Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen and the residents of these communities.

Said Ros-Lehtinen, “I strongly urge FPL to place the interests of these residents first and not build these overhead transmission lines in these family friendly communities. The steps that the company takes in this regard will define its future relations with all the communities involved so I hope that they will make the right choice. As far as I’m concerned, FPL has an opportunity to turn this divisive issue around by taking the resident’s concerns to heart. I sincerely hope that they do this and I will keep working with all the parties involved to ensure that the will of the residents and businesses in my district is respected.”

Text of letter below:

Dear Mr. Silagy:

            I am writing to express my continued opposition to Florida Power and Light’s (FPL) plan to construct overhead transmission lines through the neighborhoods of Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and other communities adjacent to FPL’s preferred purposed US 1 corridor.

            In conversations with my constituents in these communities, I continue to hear of their united and strong opposition to FPL’s plan to build along US 1, also known as South Dixie Highway. The proposed above-ground transmission lines would visually scar carefully developed city improvements, decrease property values, harm businesses, counteract taxpayers’ investments, violate long-standing legal agreements and land-use codes, and impede future development along US 1. 

            As you are well aware, residents and I remain committed to seeing FPL place the transmission lines underground, improve upon the existing corridor, or find an alternate path. The addition of overheard transmission lines is simply unacceptable to the residents of these communities. It is imperative that FPL put the interests of the potentially impacted residents first and find an alternative that does not have such a destructive impact on these family-friendly communities and our local economy.

          Ensuring the will of residents and businesses in my Congressional district is respected and considered is my utmost priority and I count on FPL to do nothing less. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important issue. I look forward to your response.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

                                                                        Member of Congress

IRL:jhs/atm

cc: interested parties

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