NEWS

NEWS

October 23, 2014

Agreement Reached to Provide Clean, Affordable Electricity to Babcock Ranch in Charlotte and Lee Counties

By: Vicki Parsons - IT

JUNO BEACH, Fla., Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Babcock Ranch Community Independent Special District (ISD) and Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) today announced a settlement agreement that addresses the parties’ outstanding issues and provides a path forward for Babcock Ranch development. Part of the settlement includes Babcock Ranch ISD and FPL entering into a franchise agreement that allows the state’s largest utility to be the electric service provider for the Babcock Ranch community.

“Solar power generation and energy efficiency are lynchpins in our plan to make Babcock the world’s most environmentally responsible community,” said Syd Kitson, Chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners. “Streamlining collection and distribution of power throughout the community utilizing FPL’s advanced ‘smart grid’ technologies keeps us on track to achieve that goal.”

The original territorial agreement approved by the Florida Public Service Commission in 1965 divided the Babcock Ranch property between FPL and LCEC. If approved, this resolution will allow the Babcock Ranch community to be served by a single electric service provider.

“LCEC is pleased about the mutually beneficial settlement agreement,” said LCEC CEO Dennie Hamilton. “While we are proud of our rich history of reliable electricity, quality customer service and reasonable rates, we understand the benefit of receiving service from a single provider. We feel this agreement protects the interests of all stakeholders and is promising for the Babcock Ranch community and Southwest Florida as a whole.”

Planning for the Babcock community has been underway since 2006 as part of an historic public-private partnership that allowed the State of Florida to put the vast majority of the ranch into conservation. Energy efficiency and solar energy generation are core components of Kitson & Partners’ commitment to sustainability. Already the largest producer of solar energy in the Sunshine State, FPL is working with Babcock Ranch to develop a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility to help serve the electric needs of the community.

“FPL works closely with Lee County Electric Cooperative to provide affordable and reliable electricity to Southwest Florida, and we look forward to welcoming the Babcock Ranch community to the FPL family to enjoy electric rates that are the lowest in Florida and about 25 percent below the national average,” said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL. “Importantly, FPL is committed to advancing solar energy in Florida, and Babcock Ranch provides a terrific backdrop, along with several other sites throughout the state, for us to develop and place in service large-scale solar facilities in the coming years.”
The Babcock Ranch Community ISD recently approved the settlement agreement with FPL and LCEC as well as the franchise agreement with FPL, and FPL and LCEC signed the settlement agreement this week. LCEC and FPL will soon file a request with the Florida Public Service Commission to amend the service territories, moving the boundaries to put the full Babcock Ranch community in FPL’s service area. Assuming the change is approved by the PSC, Babcock Ranch ISD will withdraw its previously-filed request to establish a new municipal electric service provider.

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