Florida Southeast Connection, LLC, was selected to design, construct and operate an underground natural gas pipeline called the Florida Southeast Connection Pipeline from Central Florida to the Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL’s) Martin Next Generation Clean Energy Center, where it will interconnect with the FPL system. Florida Southeast Connection, LLC, is a subsidiary of FPL’s parent company, NextEra Energy. FPL is replacing its older, oil-fueled power plants with cleaner, more efficient natural gas-powered facilities and needs additional natural gas to meet Florida’s growing need for clean, reliable energy. For additional information, see our fact sheet.

Natural gas is used to generate more than half of the electricity in Florida. Currently, the state relies on just two existing major interstate natural gas pipelines that serve central and southern Florida for the vast majority of its supply. Both of these existing pipelines are nearing full capacity and will not be sufficient to supply the natural gas needs of the state.

Florida Southeast Connection’s pipeline route originates in Osceola County and runs about 126 miles south and east through the counties of Osceola, Polk, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Martin, where it will terminate at FPL’s Martin Next Generation Clean Energy Center near Indiantown. At its origin in Osceola County, Florida Southeast Connection’s project will connect with a new pipeline (Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC) that will begin in Alabama and terminate in Central Florida. The new pipeline will interconnect with the two major existing pipelines serving central and southern Florida, creating a new hub for natural gas transportation. Sabal Trail Transmission will allow FPL and others in the state to access reliable, onshore U.S. gas reserves. Visit www.sabaltrailtransmission.com to learn more about Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC.

Natural gas is an abundant, naturally occurring gas found deep beneath the earth’s surface. It is called a “fossil fuel” because scientists believe it was created by the gradual decomposition of ancient, organic fossil matter such as plants and tiny sea animals.

Florida Southeast Connection estimates the pipeline project will cost approximately $550 million.

The cost to FPL customers will not be determined until pipeline expenditures and gas transportation rates are finalized. FPL customers won’t begin to pay any costs of the new Florida Southeast Connection pipeline until it actually enters service in 2017. The pipeline will directly support the operations of all FPL natural gas facilities, including high-efficiency natural gas power plants that, to date, have saved FPL customers more than $8 billion on fuel costs since 2001.

Yes. Pipelines are the safest way to transport natural gas over long distances. Safety is a cornerstone of our commitment to customers, employees and the communities where our facilities are located. The pipeline is designed and being constructed to meet or exceed strict safety standards and will be monitored and maintained around the clock to ensure continuous safe operation. Learn more about pipeline safety.

Before construction began, all environmental factors along the route were closely evaluated. Every effort has been made to avoid or mitigate environmental impacts to wildlife or habitat. During construction, Florida Southeast Connection is working with federal, state and local government agencies to ensure that we protect environmentally sensitive areas. Florida Southeast Connection uses well-established pipeline construction methods such as horizontal directional drilling and timber mats to avoid and minimize environmental impacts. Because the pipeline is located underground, the land conditions above ground will be restored after construction is completed except in areas that are forested with large trees that have deep-route systems that could impact pipeline operations.

Land owners will be notified approximately one week before work crews enter their LOD. During construction, Rockford Corporation will contact land owners a minimum of 72 hours – or as otherwise required by the easement agreement – before the first construction crew enters the property.

The project was required to undergo several levels of thorough review before it received final approvals. Florida Southeast Connection had to perform due diligence on a preferred route. Several federal, state and local government agencies were integral to the pipeline approval process. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the lead federal agency tasked with reviewing interstate natural gas projects in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Public Service Commission and other state and regional agencies were also critical in reviewing and approving the pipeline project.

Rockford Construction was selected as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for this project and is responsible for hiring subcontractors and construction workers. Qualified local labor may be eligible to apply for jobs with Rockford Corporation. For more information on business and job opportunities, please call Rockford Construction at 1-800-822-3240.

Florida Southeast Connection will provide natural gas transportation for utility, industrial and commercial customers that use natural gas for various purposes, but the largest quantities will be mainly for electricity generation. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a widely used practice of injecting sand and liquids into shale rock formations to release pockets of natural gas. Fracking, which is regulated by federal, state and local entities and has been used for decades in oil and gas exploration, is just one of the ways natural gas is produced. Once natural gas enters the U.S. interstate pipeline system and before it enters the Florida Southeast Connection pipeline, gas supply is commingled from any number of sources.