Why Is Undergrounding Being Proposed Now? There is state mandate that will require FPL to “harden” all critical facilities replacing current poles with larger and taller concrete poles if residents don’t approve the proposed undergrounding project.
Will FPL harden electric facilities if undergrounding does not occur? YES. If the undergrounding referendum does not pass, FPL will harden power poles throughout the Island.
If the Town undergrounds all utilities, can we avoid having to “harden” overhead utilities? YES.
If the undergrounding referendum passes, will all power poles be removed on the Island? YES. If the referendum passes, all electrical, cable and phone lines will be undergrounded and all power poles will be removed.
By undergrounding now, will the Town qualify for a 25% discount on the cost of undergrounding electric utilities? YES. The Town of Palm Beach will receive a 25% discount on the cost to underground electric utilities.
Did the Town’s Citizens Undergrounding Utilities Task Force recommend undergrounding utilities throughout the Town? YES. The group consists of Town residents who spent time reviewing the plan and finances and unanimously voted to recommend undergrounding.
Did the Town Council unanimously vote to seek voter approval on the undergrounding question? YES. The council unanimously agreed this is an important issue and is seeking voter approval to proceed with improving reliability, aesthetics and safety by undergrounding.
Where will existing poles be hardened if Town utilities are not undergrounded? The areas already identified by FPL for hardening include:
• N. Ocean Blvd (from Inlet to PB Country Club)
• Onondaga Avenue
• N. Lake Way (from Onondaga to Laurian Lane)
• N. County Road (from Country Club Road to Royal Poinciana Way)
• S. County Road (from Royal Poinciana Way to Barton)
• Bradley Place (from Wells to Sunrise and Sunset to Royal Poinciana Way)
• Sunrise Avenue (from N. Ocean Blvd. to Bradley Place)
• Royal Poinciana Way and Main Street
• Golfview Road and Hammon Avenue
• S. County Road (from Hammon to S. Ocean Blvd.)
Other areas of the town may be identified as a later date for hardening.
