Guest opinion: LCEC: Critical Cape Coral power line will keep the lights on
By now, we have all heard about massive power outages in recent years. In the northeast approximately 50 million customers were impacted by a blackout in 2003, and the economic costs were astounding. Hurricanes that have impacted Florida in recent years have had similar effects. These events emphasize the importance of expanding infrastructure to maintain a reliable electric system.
LCEC has a responsibility to deliver reliable electricity to our customers at a competitive price. We take this responsibility very seriously. Our comprehensive 10-year engineering and operations plan ensures we have the capacity to accommodate increased demand and maintain reliability. Currently, one of the most critical areas for concern is Cape Coral. That concern has increased tremendously over the past 10 years, and LCEC has been working to address the issue. Ensuring a reliable power supply is critical to sustaining continued economic prosperity for the area as well as addressing the health, safety and welfare of residents.
Cape Coral City Council recently had the courage, leadership and vision to make a very difficult decision on a transmission route that had been under consideration for nearly 10 years. Council members took the time to understand the situation so that they could make an informed decision that was in the best interest of all Cape Coral citizens. Their decision between a route in the CRA district where an LCEC substation is located and three routes running through residential areas outside of the downtown area was not made without many years of discussion, evaluation and analysis.
If you are reading about this issue for the first time you might think it sounds cut and dry. However, due to increased pressure from the CRA, City Council may be asked to reconsider the route decision. Again they will be faced with considering the facts and making a decision in the best interest of Cape Coral citizens. Following are some of the facts that should be considered:
Why build a new line?
Reliability and Capacity.
The transmission line connects one substation to another to create a “looped” system allowing for continued electrical service even while repairs or maintenance are taking place on another part of the electric grid. An outage on the current line would mean thousands of customers remain without power while the line is repaired. Transmission lines often take extended time to repair.
Why not put the lines underground? We can do that!
The benefit of underground lines is visual appearance. Overhead construction is less costly and delivers an acceptable level of reliability. For this reason it is the standard on which LCEC rates are based. Because underground construction is a benefit to a certain segment of customers, the additional cost is the responsibility of the requesting party. If specific project costs exceed those necessary for acceptably reliable service, LCEC will not pass on those costs to all other LCEC customers through increased rates. Customers in other parts of the LCEC service territory requesting underground lines are likewise responsible for paying the extra costs if they request underground lines in their area and those costs are not passed on to Cape Coral customers.
How much of a price difference are we talking about?
There are many price variables.
LCEC pays for the cost to install new infrastructure using the most cost-effective methods – in this case, overhead lines. Underground differential costs relate to location, terrain, design, materials, permitting and labor. LCEC would still pay the amount allocated for overhead construction and the requestor would pay costs incurred above and beyond to install underground. Recent bid comparisons for other routes indicate the differential to be between $4 and $6 million but the price is contingent on the scope of the project.
Would the new line serve other customers also?
Electric grids generally function as a network to serve many customers.
Electricity serving Cape Coral comes from a transmission line originating in North Fort Myers and travels on to Sanibel and Pine Island. For that reason, the overhead installation cost is included in base rates because all customers benefit. Should an outage occur on existing transmission lines, LCEC ensures that power is delivered to the largest number of customers possible without risking additional failure on the grid. A looped system allows for re-routing of power to serve the area where the outage occurs.
Why wasn’t some other route selected?
Many routes, along with this one, have been considered over the past 10 years this project has been discussed.
LCEC recommended the route that was approved by the Council in an effort to address both citizen and council members’ concerns with alternative routes. In the many discussions over the past years, LCEC has repeatedly expressed its view that it is neutral as to the route that is approved, and is more concerned about addressing reliability needs solved by “looping” the electrical grid in Cape Coral. Despite statements to the contrary by those opposed to the project, time is of the essence and any of the proposed routes to date would be acceptable to LCEC.
Do overhead lines mean the end of economic development?
Absolutely not.
On the contrary, a reliable, cost competitive source of electricity has proven to increase development in Cape Coral since the first pole was installed in 1958. Reliable electricity is part of what makes a thriving business district. LCEC continues to work with developers to find ways to co-exist in a manner which is mutually beneficial. There are many options, and LCEC has worked hard over the past 10 years to minimize the impact while still fulfilling our responsibility to keep the lights on for all of our customers in an equitable manner.
Karen Ryan, APR
LCEC Public Relations Manager