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RESOLUTION NO
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami,
Florida, urging members of the Florida Legislature to support an
amendment to Section 403.524 of the Florida Statutes, relating to the
Transmission Siting Act, to provide for input from municipalities and more
oversight from the Public Service Commission; providing an effective date.
WHEREAS, the Florida Public Service Commission ( "PSC ") has limited oversight over
the siting of transmission lines by electrical utility companies providing services in Florida; and
WHEREAS, electrical utility companies are allowed to install extremely large poles to
accommodate transmission lines as long as the lines are less than fifteen (15) miles in length and
do not cross a county line with first seeking certification from the PSC or the Department of
Environmental Protection ( "DEP "); and
WHEREAS, local governments have been denied the ability to challenge the siting of
transmission lines in their respective municipalities if the lines are less than fifteen (15) miles in
length and do not cross a county line; and
WHEREAS, Florida's municipalities should be given a method of redress when
transmission lines are proposed to be placed in their boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature is capable of amending the current provisions of
Section 403.524 to require that all transmission line sitings within the boundaries of a
municipality must be presented to the PSC and DEP, and municipalities given an opportunity to
be heard in favor or in opposition; and
WHEREAS, the siting of transmission lines in a municipality can pose safety and health
issues for the citizens of the municipality; and
WHEREAS, recent science has reinforced health concerns about low frequency
magnetic field exposure levels far lower than state law currently permits; and
WHEREAS, several South Florida municipalities, including the City of South Miami
have been unable to challenge the placement of transmission lines on one or more of the major
thoroughfares in their cities; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission are concerned that Florida Power & Light
will continue to place transmission lines in areas which are not in the best interest of its citizens
without oversight from any department or commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA THAT:
Section 1: The Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami hereby urge
Governor Charlie Crist and the members of the Florida Legislature to support legislation that:
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• Amends Section 403.524 of the Florida Statutes and require all electrical
utilities to seek certification for all transmission lines, without exceptions;
and
• Require electrical utilities to notify municipalities of proposed sites for
transmission lines and full disclosure of the method utilized to determine
the route of the transmission lines and efforts taken to minimize the impact
on the municipality affected; and
• Empower the Florida Public Service Commission to hear disputes between
electrical utilities and municipalities regarding transmission lines routes;
and
• Authorize the filing of civil litigation by a municipality to challenge the
siting of transmission lines under certain conditions.
Section 2: The City Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Governor
Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, House Speaker Larry Cretul and members of the
Florida Legislature.
Section 3: This resolution shall be effective immediately.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _day of , 2010.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND SUFFICIENCY:
CITY ATTORNEY
WAMy Documents\resolutions \Resolution urging support FS 403.524.doc
APPROVED:
MAYOR
Commission Vote:
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Newman:
Commissioner Palmer:
Commissioner Beasley:
Commissioner Harris:
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