The purpose of this hearing is for the Florida Public Service Commission to take evidence upon which it will take final action to determine the need, pursuant to Section 403.537, Florida Statutes (F.S.), for the Orlando Utilities Commission’s (OUC) ...

 

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

The FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION announces a prehearing conference and a hearing in the following docket to which all persons are invited.

DOCKET NO. AND TITLE: 20200107-EM Petition for determination of need for the Orlando/St. Cloud Regional Resiliency Connection 230 kV transmission line project in Orange and Osceola Counties, by Orlando Utilities Commission.

PREHEARING CONFERENCE DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, June 9, 2020, starting immediately after the Commission’s Internal Affairs Conference scheduled for that date.

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

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE PREHEARING:

The purpose of this prehearing conference is to: (1) simplify the issues; (2) identify the positions of the parties on the issues; (3) consider the possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents which will avoid unnecessary proof; (4) identify exhibits; (5) establish an order of witnesses; and (6) consider such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the case.

HEARING DATE AND TIME:  Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.

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

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE HEARING: The purpose of this hearing is for the Florida Public Service Commission to take evidence upon which it will take final action to determine the need, pursuant to Section 403.537, Florida Statutes (F.S.), for the Orlando Utilities Commission’s (OUC) proposed construction and operation of a 230 kV electrical transmission line that would be located in Orange and Osceola Counties.  The proposed electrical line will start at OUC’s existing Magnolia Ranch Substation in Orange County and will terminate at the St. Cloud East Substation in Osceola County. This proceeding shall: (1) allow OUC to present testimony and other evidence in support of its petition for a determination of need for the Orlando/St. Cloud Regional Resiliency Connection 230 kV Transmission Line; (2) permit any intervenors to present testimony and other evidence concerning the proposed line; (3) permit members of the public who are not parties to the need determination proceeding to present testimony concerning the proposed line; and (4) allow for such other proceedings relevant to the proposed line as the Commission may deem appropriate.

Members of the public who are not parties to the need determination proceeding shall have an opportunity to present sworn testimony at the hearing regarding the need for the proposed Orlando/St. Cloud Regional Resiliency Connection 230 kV transmission line by OUC. By providing public sworn testimony, a person does not become a party to the proceeding. If you wish to have party status, you must file a Motion for Intervention at least twenty (20) days before the final hearing, i.e. by Friday, May 29, 2020, pursuant to the requirements contained in Rule 28-106.205, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). All witnesses shall be subject to cross examination at the conclusion of their testimony.

Interested persons may also request to be listed as an interested person for this docket, in which case they will receive notices and orders published and issued in the docket. Such requests should be made to: Florida Public Service Commission, Office of the Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850, [phone].

The hearing will be governed by the provisions of Chapter 120, F.S.; Section 403.537, F.S.; and Chapters 25-22, 28-106, and 28-109, F.A.C.  Only issues relating to the need for the Orlando/St. Cloud Regional Resiliency Connection 230 kV transmission line will be considered at the June 18, 2020 hearing.

Separate public hearings will be held before an Administrative Law Judge of the Division of Administrative Hearings to consider environmental and other impacts of the Orlando/St. Cloud Regional Resiliency Connection 230 kV transmission line, as required by the Florida Electric Transmission Line Siting Act, Sections 403.52-403.5365, F.S.

Any person requiring some accommodation at this hearing because of a physical impairment is asked to advise the Commission at least 5 days before the hearing by contacting: Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-0850 or by calling [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Commission using the Florida Relay Service, which can be reached at 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice). For more information, you may contact: Florida Public Service Commission, Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850.

If the Commission is operating under a state of emergency due to COVID-19, at the time of the hearing, all public sworn testimony and participation will be handled remotely. If this, or other special procedures are needed to ensure the safety of participants, directions for participation will be posted on the Commission’s website  (www.floridapsc.com) under the Hot Topics link found on the home page. Any such procedures will be established and posted no less than 10 days before the hearing.

EMERGENCY CANCELLATION OF HEARINGS: If a named storm or other state of emergency requires cancellation of the hearing, Commission staff will attempt to give timely direct notice to the Parties. Notice of cancellation of the meeting will also be provided on the Commission’s website (www.floridapsc.com) under the Hot Topics link found on the home page. Cancellation can also be confirmed by calling the Office of the General Counsel of the Commission at [phone].  For more information, you may contact: Florida Public Service Commission, Office of the Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850, [phone].