Overview | Site | Aerial Map | Habitat Conservation Plan | Reliable Power

OVERVIEW
Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (FKEC) is a not-for-profit, private enterprise operating to provide reliable and efficient electric service to all of its members, not just those who are easy to serve.

Installation of the North Key Largo Substation is required to continue to provide efficient, safe and reliable electric service to the North Key Largo residential communities, a state park, and a national wildlife refuge.

An inadequate 12-mile long distribution line currently serves the energy demand in North Key Largo.  This line has already reached critical capacity during peak periods and is currently exceeding desirable levels under everyday conditions.

The current system wastes natural resources, fuel and energy and will be corrected by the installation of the North Key Largo Substation.

This project has a history of thorough review and approval throughout its 10-year planning and approval process. FKEC appreciates your support and patience as we strive to meet our community’s demand for energy.

SUBSTATION SITE (back to top)
FKEC researched and analyzed various locations throughout North Key Largo and has chosen the most environmentally friendly site for the location of the proposed substation.

The proposed site is one of the closest locations to the residential areas that will be served, keeping the distance of needed transmission lines to a minimum.

FKEC will enhance natural habitat and living conditions for the indigenous wood rat. The proposed preservation and management measures will provide a net gain in habitat for the area's wildlife by restoring adjacent lands to their natural state.

The new substation will use ONLY 25% of the 2.02 acres of former roadbed owned by FKEC. The remaining 75 percent will be dedicated to habitat conservation and improvement.

The site intersects the northern end of County Road 905 and is immediately adjacent to Card Sound Road and is bordered by the road and Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammocks Botanical State Park. Once built, the substation will be unmanned.

The new substation will use ONLY 25% of the 2.02 acres of former roadbed owned by FKEC.

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HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN (back to top)
FKEC has submitted to the U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, its comprehensive Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to complete permitting for a new electric power substation to serve North Key Largo.

The primary goal of the conservation plan is the preservation and enhancement of habitat for the endangered Key Largo Woodrat, which is known to inhabit the area.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for reviewing the conservation plan and approving a permit necessary for construction of the substation. FKEC's plan will enhance natural habitat and living conditions for the indigenous wood rat. The proposed preservation and management measures will provide a net gain in habitat for the area's wildlife by restoring adjacent lands to their natural state.

The need for this substation to boost electric power in North Key Largo was identified over 10 years ago along with the need for another substation site on Crawl Key. The Crawl Key substation has been serving Cooperative members in that area for several years now. The North Key Largo substation was delayed by extensive research and habitat preservation planning required for wildlife in the area.

"The plan we filed with the Fish and Wildlife Service goes above and beyond protecting our sensitive Key Largo environment," said FKEC Chief Executive Officer Scott Newberry. "The measures outlined in our plan will protect the environment and the endangered species in the area and will result in a benefit for protected species."

The plan includes extensive preservation, enhancement, restoration and management measures both on the substation site and on other areas of North Key Largo. These proposed measures will provide long-term benefits to the Key Largo woodrat population, as well as other wildlife species.

RELIABLE ELECTRIC SERVICE (back to top)
Since the substation was originally planned, North Key Largo has experienced substantial residential redevelopment and growth in per household electrical demand.

On average, FKEC members’ use of electricity has increased by about 35 percent since 1990.

The substation is essential to maintain FKEC's reliable electrical service to North Key Largo residents and the area's state park and national wildlife refuge.

The proposed North Key Largo substation must be built in order to maintain FKEC’s efficient and reliable service.  Until the substation is operational, area residents will continue to face the possibility of rolling black-outs during peak periods of energy demand, especially during a winter cold snap.