Citing STAR Group's Utility Search Conference® process, the Administrative Law Judge who conducted hearings on Progress Energy Florida's application to site a nuclear power plant and over 180 miles of related transmission recommended that the application be APPROVED. Excerpts from the ALJ's May 15, 2009 ruling may be reviewed here.

To meet Florida's growing demand for reliable electricity, Progress Energy Florida (PEF) has proposed building 200-miles of 500kV and 230kV transmission lines that will cross 9 counties in central Florida. The new lines will connect to a green field nuclear power plant on the Gulf coast of Florida. The project represents a $17 billion investment by PEF.

The company asked STAR Group to design a comprehensive public involvement process. A significant challenge was the geographic diversity of the project. Working with PEF leaders, STAR Group developed a unique approach that allowed stakeholders to participate on a regional basis, thereby improving participation and producing recommendations that reflected the varying interests of all concerned.

Despite the size and scope of the project, to date no intervener has proposed any alternative route to the route recommended in the public involvement process. Significantly (yet consistent with results STAR Group has achieved on each of its utility engagements), participants have testified at regulatory proceedings in favor of the project.

A video containing unscripted comments from participants in STAR Group's public involvement process, may be viewed by clicking here or by going to the project web site at http://www.progress-energy.com/aboutenergy/transmission/florida/energyplanning/default.asp