FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2002

TALLAHASSEE – Air quality in the Tampa Bay region will improve significantly as a result of an agreement negotiated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL). This agreement will reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 40 percent during peak operation periods at the FPL Manatee Plant near Parrish in Manatee County. NOx emissions contribute to elevated levels of smog in the Tampa Bay region.

This agreement is the result of a new law championed by Gov. Bush and signed into law last spring. The new cost recovery law allows the Public Service Commission to provide incentives to utilities to clean up air pollution before air quality deteriorates in a region, rather than waiting until after health standards are no longer met.

"Florida is now one of only two states east of the Mississippi to fully meet all federal public health standards for clean air," said DEP Secretary David Struhs. "This agreement with FPL goes a long way toward keeping Florida’s air clean and protecting public health."

 This is the fourth time in four years that the Bush administration has successfully prompted the modernization of older polluting power plants in Florida. The result is the largest reduction of air pollution in Florida’s history.

Discussions for the voluntary installation of NOx emission control equipment on generating Units 1 and 2 at FPL’s Manatee Plant began early this summer. FPL and DEP recently reached agreement on emission control equipment - known as "reburn" technology.

Highlights of the plan include:

• FPL will install reburn pollution prevention equipment designed to help the Tampa Bay region maintain compliance with national ambient air quality standards;

• FPL will install reburn pollution control technology on one of its Manatee Units no later than 18 months after receiving all required permits;

• FPL will begin installation of reburn pollution control technology on the second Manatee Unit within 1 year thereafter;

• The anticipated commencement of the reburn pollution control technology on each Manatee Unit within 1 year from the date installation begins;

• The reburn pollution control technology will be operated on each Manatee Unit whenever operating at peak capacity; and

• After installation of the reburn pollution control technology, FPL will conduct an 18-month study to evaluate the performance of the technology and its effect on NOx emissions.

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