FPL improvements to electric system for Miramar Fire-Rescue Department and Pembroke Pines Water Treatment Plant underway

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FPL improvements to electric system for Miramar Fire-Rescue Department and Pembroke Pines Water Treatment Plant underway

Part of FPL’s program to make key facilities stronger in major storms

 By Kristy Kennedy

This storm season, homes and businesses in the Miramar area are expected to benefit from upgrades to the local electric system. Florida Power & Light Company has started work on strengthening local power lines and equipment so they better withstand intense storms and improve everyday reliability.

2013 Work in Miramar

FPL’s local improvements this year focus on reinforcing a main power line serving the Miramar Fire-Rescue Department, Pembroke Pines Water Treatment Plant and nearby homes and businesses. The upgrades will make the system stronger against powerful winds and help the area return to normal more quickly following storms. The strengthening project began in March, and completion is expected in August.

Other local improvements in and near Miramar in 2013 include inspecting approximately 2,550 utility poles, clearing vegetation from 100 miles of power lines and inspecting eight main lines using cutting-edge infrared technology to detect and address potential issues not seen by the human eye.

“Although FPL delivered its best reliability on record in 2012, we’re always working to make it even better,” said Ben Wesley, FPL External Affairs manager. “We’re upgrading our systems across Florida that serve critical local facilities – hospitals, police and fire stations and others – as well as major thoroughfares and commercial areas. Upgrading the power lines and equipment serving the Miramar Fire-Rescue Department, Pembroke Pines Water Treatment Plant and nearby areas will improve reliability and help us restore service faster following major storms.”

A Long-Term Commitment

The 2013 projects are the latest in a series of improvements FPL has made in and near Miramar since the last major hurricane season in 2005. Since then, FPL has:

·     Reinforced six main power lines that serve six critical community facilities, including Memorial Hospital and a local 911 emergency communications center.

·     Inspected 4,490 utility poles, restoring or replacing those that no longer met the company’s standards for strength.

·     Cleared 660 miles of power lines of trees and vegetation – a major cause of flickers and outages.

·     Inspected 55 main power lines using an advanced infrared camera to evaluate lines and equipment – and help us address issues before they cause outages.

Since 2006, FPL has invested more than $1 billion across its 35-county service area – in addition to its other ongoing system maintenance and improvement work – to make the electric grid stronger.

 

About Carma Henry 24363 Articles
Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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