South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard wants you to Speak Up! By Geniusofdespair

This will be your last chance to keep FPL from running new transmission lines though South Miami & new nuclear plants 18 miles away at Turkey Point

They’re BACK!!!!

FPL’s “Eastern Preferred Transmission Line Corridor” would enter South Miami along SW 80th St, then turns up US 1, runs past South Miami Hospital and City Hall, and continues on through the heart of the South Miami into Coral Gables.  Lines would be strung along monstrous concrete towers 105 feet tall.

Urban transmission lines are bad for the economy, and may harm your health
In recent studies, mortality from Alzheimer’s disease doubled in people residing within 165 feet of a transmission line and childhood leukemia is twice as common within 600 feet of a transmission line 2.   Properties within sight of a transmission lines lose 10% off their real estate value, with similar consequences for the local economy and tax base.  UM economist, Dr. Richard Weisskoff, characterized FPL’s proposed transmission lines as:  “…both the assassin and graveyard of economic activity and growth”.

If you want to know more about economic costs and health hazards of transmission lines, this is the link.


Sea level rise makes Turkey Point a really bad place for nuclear plants
The new transmission lines are tied to development of 2 new nuclear reactors at Turkey Point, situated between two national parks on a hurricane-swept coastline subject to storm surge and inundation from sea level rise.  Who remembers Fukushima?
FPL has projected only one foot of sea level rise over the life of the plants (until 2080).  Scientists are projecting 2-4 feet over this period, and it could be higher.

The storm surge model (SLOSH) used for safety calculations on FPL's nuclear application is out of date and underestimates potential surge heights.  NOAA has a new model but FPL is still using the old model’s figures for their safety calculations.

The Alternate Corridor Procedure

We would rather see the lines shielded and underground or not built at all, but the Transmission Line Siting Act (written by the utilities) gives us only one way to fight new lines: propose an alternate corridor.  Pinecrest and Coral Gables have proposed an alternate corridor that adds another set of lines to existing power line assemblages to the west.  The City of South Miami is supporting these alternate corridor proposals.

PUBLIC MEETINGS  - Please come and speak out. This is your last chance.
FPL always stacks the speaker’s roster and we need OUR voices heard.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC TESTIMONY SESSIONS
Pursuant to section 403.508(4)(b), Florida Statutes, local public hearings where members of the public who are not a party to the certification hearing may testify under oath as to relevant facts will be held at the dates, times, and locations listed below. All parties shall be given an opportunity to cross-examine or challenge or rebut such communications.


Thursday, July 18,  6:30 - 9:30 pm
Coral Gables Youth Center
405 University Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33134

Wednesday, July 17,  2:00-6:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm
Keys Gate Golf and Country Club Banquet Hall
2300 Palm Drive
Homestead, Florida 33055

Tuesday, July 23,  3:00-6:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm
Miami Airport Convention Center
Room MACC1
711 NW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL

Thursday, July 25,  6:30-9:00 pm
Miami Airport Convention Center
Room MACC1
711 NW 72nd Ave
Miami, FL

Here is a link to a set of talking points you can use to support the Alternate Corridor Proposals and oppose new nuclear plants at Turkey Point: Focus on one or two points and make them well. Plan on having two minutes to speak.

Tropical Audubon Society is hosting a reception and preparation session, Monday July 1st, 5:30-8 pm at the Doc Thomas House, 5530 Sunset Drive.  Optional, but fun.