The purpose of this hearing is for the Commission to: (1) take final action to determine the need, pursuant to Section 403.519, Florida Statutes (F.S.), for the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County’s (SWA) expansion of its existing renewable ...

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

The Florida Public Service Commission announces a prehearing and hearing in the following docket to which all persons are invited.

Docket No. 110018-EU – Joint petition for modification to determination of need for expansion of an existing renewable energy electrical power plant in Palm Beach County by Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County and Florida Power & Light Company, and for approval of associated regulatory accounting and purchased power agreement cost recovery.

PREHEARING CONFERENCE

DATE AND TIME: Monday, April 18, 2011, 1:30 p.m.

PLACE: Betty Easley Conference Center, Room 148, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, Florida

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE PREHEARING: The purpose of this prehearing conference is to consider (1) the simplification of the issues; (2) the identification of the positions of the parties on the issues; (3) the possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents which will avoid unnecessary proof; (4) the identification of the exhibits; (5) the establishment of an order of witnesses; and (6) such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the action.

HEARING

DATE AND TIME: Monday, April 25, 2011, 9:30 a.m.

PLACE: Room 148, Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, Florida

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The purpose of this hearing is for the Commission to: (1) take final action to determine the need, pursuant to Section 403.519, Florida Statutes (F.S.), for the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County’s (SWA) expansion of its existing renewable energy electrical power plant located at its solid waste process and disposal site in Palm Beach County; (2) approve a purchase power contract between SWA and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and approve advanced funding for SWA and associated regulatory accounting and cost recovery treatment for FPL (cost recovery issues); and (3) to consider any motions or other matters that may be pending at the time of the hearing. The Commission may rule on any such motions from the bench or may take the matters under advisement. This proceeding shall: (1) allow SWA and FPL to present evidence and testimony in support of their petition for a determination of need for the proposed renewable energy electrical power plant and approval of the purchase power contract and associated cost recovery issues; (2) permit any intervenors to present testimony and exhibits concerning this matter; (3) permit members of the public who are not parties to the proceeding the opportunity to present testimony concerning this matter; and (4) allow for such other purposes as the Commission may deem appropriate.

PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Any member of the public who wishes to offer testimony should be present at the beginning of the hearing on Monday, April 25, 2011. By providing public testimony, a person does not become a party to the proceeding. To become an official party of record, you must file a Petition for Intervention at least five days before the final hearing, pursuant to the requirements contained in Rule 25-22.039, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). All witnesses shall be subject to cross-examination at the conclusion of their testimony.

The hearing will be governed by the provisions of Chapter 120, F.S.; Section 403.519, F.S.; and Chapters 25-22 and 28-106, F.A.C. Only issues relating to the need for the renewable energy electrical power plant, approval of the purchase power contract and approval of the associated cost recovery issues will be heard at the April 25, 2011, hearing. Separate public hearings may be held before the Division of Administrative Hearings to consider environmental and other impacts of the proposed power plant, as required by the “Power Plant Siting Act,” Sections 403.501-.518, F.S.

Any person requiring some accommodation at this meeting because of a physical impairment is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the meeting by contacting: Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850 or at [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Agency using the Florida Relay Service, which can be reached at 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

EMERGENCY CANCELLATION OF HEARING: If settlement of the case or a named storm or other disaster requires cancellation of the proceedings, Commission staff will attempt to give timely direct notice to the parties. Notice of cancellation will also be provided on the Commission’s website (http://www.psc.state.fl.us/) under the Hot Topics link found on the home page. Cancellation can also be confirmed by calling the Office of the General Counsel at [phone].

For more information, you may contact: Florida Public Service Commission, Office of the Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850, [phone].