Growth in new homes and businesses, as well as an increasing use of electricity by existing customers in the Orlando area, is creating a need for more electricity now and for the future. In Orange County alone, the number of customers has increased more than 14 percent over the past five years. New facilities will be needed by 2010 to meet this need for safe, cost-effective and reliable power. Our job at Progress Energy Florida is to plan responsibly for the future and make sure our customers' needs are met reliably and safely.

As part of our plan to ensure our customers' need for electricity is met, we are in the early stages of planning for a new, local, load-serving 69 kV transmission line connecting the existing Rio Pinar substation near Lake Underhill Road and the Florida Greenway (SR 417) to the existing East Orange substation near Lake Underhill Road and Huckleberry Finn Road. These types of transmission lines are frequently seen along roads and highways in communities throughout Florida.

Our route selection process will be a balanced approach that takes into consideration community issues and concerns, existing and proposed land uses, environmental laws and regulations, and engineering requirements. We pledge to respectfully work with our communities as we go about our job preparing to meet the needs of our customers for more and better electrical service. Our goal is to continue to provide you with reliable service in a cost-effective manner with the least possible impact on our community.