FPL Upgrading Power In Boca

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Media Advisory) — Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) continues its major program to upgrade the electric system in the Boca Raton area, benefiting local homes and businesses. The company started much of the planned work, such as strengthening and upgrading major power lines and installing cutting-edge technology, as part of its ongoing program to reduce power outages and flickers. 

Improvements in and near Boca Raton
This year’s investment includes strengthening five main power lines serving businesses and neighborhoods located east and west of the Florida Turnpike between Palmetto Park Road and just north of Clint Moore Road. Construction began last spring and is scheduled to be completed next spring.

The work includes installing stronger utility poles designed to withstand wind gusts of 145 mph or more. FPL crews are making additional major improvements in the area, including: 
•Clearing tree branches and palm fronds – a major cause of power outages – from more than 100 miles of power lines 
•Installing cutting-edge technology, including seven automated switches – “smart grid” technology that prevents many outages and helps FPL restore power faster for customers who experience an outage.   

“Following our thorough inspection of Boca Raton’s power lines and equipment, we put into motion a plan that includes a record number of projects to strengthen the electric system and improve the quality of service. This work will benefit our customers by helping us restore power faster following storms and improve the reliability of our service in any weather,” said Manny Miranda, FPL vice president of power delivery.

A Long-Term Commitment 
When this year’s work is completed, FPL will have made the following improvements in and near Boca Raton since the last major hurricanes hit Florida in 2005:
•Reinforced 12 major power lines, including those serving critical local facilities such as Boca Raton Community Hospital and West Boca Medical Center, City of Boca Raton Emergency Operations Center, and the Palm Beach County Water Treatment Plant.
•Inspected 8,200, or about 97 percent of the utility poles in Boca Raton, restoring or replacing those that no longer met the company’s standards for strength.
•Cleared 1,060 miles of power lines of trees and vegetation – a major cause of power outages.
•Inspected 82 main power lines and equipment using the latest infrared technology, helping FPL address issues before they cause outages.

Since 2006, FPL has invested more than $1.4 billion across its 35-county service area – in addition to its other ongoing system maintenance and improvement work – to make the electric grid stronger.

Additional information, including a map of the work areas, is available online at FPL.com/Boc