Florida Gas Transmission

Situation: In 2009, a request for approval for construction of a new, underground, natural gas pipeline was filed with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) by utilities giant Florida Power and Light Company (FPL). As a stipulation of the proposal, FPL also requested that the proposed $1.6 billion pipeline be paid for by FPL’s electric customers through increases to base rates and fuel charges. The intervenor in the case, Florida Gas Transmission (FGT) had previously proposed a cost-effective alternative to the FPL pipeline that would reduce total project costs by nearly 40 percent to an estimated $1 billion – which would lead to great savings to FPL customers and consumers. Both the public and the media were vastly unaware of the entire pipeline project until RBOA was hired by FGT to shine a spotlight on the issue and educate these audiences about the consequences and effects of the proposed FPL pipeline.

Action: RBOA managed public and media communication, advocate relationships and provided media relations services in conjunction with public hearings at the PSC.

Outcome: The issue earned overwhelming public and media support and, ultimately, the PSC denied FPL’s pipeline request, an enormous victory for FGT.