Administrative Law Judge Francine M. Ffolkes will conduct a hearing to consider the environmental effects and any other appropriate matters regarding whether to approve the site certification of the proposed Tampa Electric Company, Big Bend Unit 1 ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The Siting Coordination Office announces a hearing to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: March 11, 2019, 9:00 a.m. and continuing to March 15, 2019, as necessary. Testimony from the public will be received on March 11, 2019, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

PLACE: Hilton Garden Inn, 4328 Garden Vista Drive, Riverview, Florida 33578

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Administrative Law Judge Francine M. Ffolkes will conduct a hearing to consider the environmental effects and any other appropriate matters regarding whether to approve the site certification of the proposed Tampa Electric Company, Big Bend Unit 1 Modernization Power Plant Siting Application No. PA 79-12A2, OGC Case No.18-0198, Division of Administrative Hearings Case No. 18-2124EPP pursuant to the Florida Electrical Power Plant Siting Act, Sections 403.501-.518, Florida Statutes (F.S.). Following the hearing, Judge Francine M. Ffolkes will prepare a Recommended Order for submission to and final action by the Governor and Cabinet acting as the Siting Board. Pursuant to paragraph 403.508(3)(a), F.S., parties to the proceeding shall include the Applicant, the Department of Economic Opportunity, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, Hillsborough County, and Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission. Any party listed in paragraph 403.508(3)(a), F.S., other than the Department of Environmental Protection or the Applicant may waive its right to participate in these proceedings if such party fails to file a notice of its intent to be a party on or before the 90th day prior to the certification hearing. In addition, notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 120, F.S., upon the filing with the administrative law judge of a notice of intent to be a party no later than 75 days after the application is filed, the following shall also be parties to the proceeding: any agency not listed in paragraph 403.508(3)(a), F.S., as to matters within its jurisdiction; any domestic nonprofit corporation or association formed, in whole or in part, to promote conservation or natural beauty, to protect the environment, personal health, or other biological values; to preserve historical sites; to promote consumer interests; to represent labor, commercial, or industrial groups; or to promote comprehensive planning or orderly development of the area in which the proposed electrical power plant is to be located. Other parties may include any person, including those persons listed herein who have failed to timely file a notice of intent to be a party, whose substantial interests are affected and being determined by the proceeding and who timely file a motion to intervene pursuant to Chapter 120, F.S., and applicable rules. Intervention pursuant to paragraph 403.508(3)(e), F.S., may be granted at the discretion of the designated administrative law judge and upon such conditions as he or she may prescribe any time prior to 30 days before the commencement of the certification hearing. Motions to intervene must be filed (received) with Administrative Law Judge Francine M. Ffolkes, Division of Administrative Hearings, The DeSoto Building, 1230 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550, at least 30 days prior to commencement of the certification hearing. The certification hearing may be cancelled in accordance with paragraph 403.508(6)(a), F.S.: “No earlier than 29 days prior to the conduct of the certification hearing, the Department or the Applicant may request that the administrative law judge cancel the certification hearing and relinquish jurisdiction to the department if all parties to the proceeding stipulate that there are no disputed issues of fact or law to be raised at the certification hearing, and if sufficient time remains for the applicant and the department to publish public notices of the cancellation of the hearing at least 3 days prior to the scheduled date of the hearing.”

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Ann Seiler, Case Manager, Bob Martinez Center, 2600 Blair Stone Road, M.S. 5500, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone].

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Ann Seiler, Case Manager, Bob Martinez Center, 2600 Blair Stone Road, M.S. 5500, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

For more information, you may contact: Ann Seiler, Case Manager, Bob Martinez Center, 2600 Blair Stone Road, M.S. 5500, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone].