Ten-Year Site Plans Show Need for Fuel Diversity and Transmission Planning

The Ten-Year Site Plans, submitted annually by eleven utilities and reviewed by PSC staff, indicate that the state's utilities plan to construct about twice as much new gas-fired capacity as solid fuel capacity by 2015.  In the Review, staff recommended steps toward wider fuel diversity including encouraging renewable generation and increased demand-side management.  Construction of additional solid fuel plants like clean coal and nuclear are also encouraged to achieve a more balanced fuel supply.

PSC Chairman Lisa Polak Edgar said, "When utilities use a balanced variety of fuels to generate electricity, customers are protected from significant price fluctuations, and fuel-related power disruptions are less likely."

The Review also recognizes the need for coordinated transmission planning to ensure reliable distribution of electricity throughout the Florida peninsula.  The Florida Reliability Coordinating Council monitors compliance to national standards and performs regular assessments of the strength and stability of the transmission system under a variety of conditions, including weather extremes.

The 2006 Review will be available on the PSC website by the end of this week.