City Interviews Power Providers

The Lake Worth Power Plant, 2nd Ave North

Florida Power & Light was at City Hall last night to sell the mayor and commissioners on its proposal to serve as the city's alternate power provider.

But it had company. Seven other firms were there to do the same thing.

First up was Constellation Energy, one of the largest suppliers of energy in the country, which promised that it could meet the city's demand for power at all times.

Constellation also said it is the best company to help Lake Worth get back to being a completely independent utility "on par with others in the state."

Lake Worth has two main sources for power -- the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant on Hutchinson Island, near Fort Pierce, and the Stanton Engery Center in Orlando. The Lake Worth Power Plant, on 2nd Avenue North, is not currently in use, but could be called into service, if needed. All power reaches the city through transmission lines owned by FPL.

The city commission is expected to pick an alternate provider of energy next month, or to at least narrow down the list to two or three companies. The other companies that submitted bids are: Covanta Energy ("We help communities generate energy from waste.") Gainesville Regional Utilities, Orlando Utilities Commission, Tampa Electric Company, UR Solar Power and Wartsila, a Finnish company.