Assuming the sale of Vero Electric to Florida Power & Light goes forward, one of the first tests of FPL’s intention to be a responsible corporate citizen will be its willingness to work with the city to find a location other than the former postal annex site for its new substation.

As much as FPL may prefer to have a prime corner location at the intersection of 17^th Street and Indian River Boulevard, at least one alternate site has been identified as an option that would meet the company’s original criteria for size, assess points and proximity to the transmission lines on Indian River Boulevard.

Between 17^th Street and 18^th Street, just two blocks west of Indian River Boulevard sits seven acres of land where FPL could build a well-buffered substation, one that would not be an eyesore in the center of the city.

Granted, because the former postal annex site is closer to a electrical distribution bank it would cost FPL less to build its substation there.  But the city’s obligation is to provide a suitable site.  The seven-acre site now being considered as an alternative meets FPL’s original criteria.

Beyond agreeing to the alternate site, FPL should go out of its way to provide as much buffering as possible.  Landscaping is not inexpensive. But let’s face it, FPL is buying Vero Electric for what amounts to a fire-sale price.  The least the company could do would be to not leave their new, larger substation minimally landscaped.