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Stronger utility poles could be coming to Tallahassee

NextEra Energy Project
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — We all want fewer power outages following hurricanes and that's what NextEra Energy's transmission line project aims to do for seven Panhandle counties, including part of Tallahassee.

"Any storm hardening and any enhancement in the transmission system in this area of Florida will provide greater benefits to our customers during a storm when you have equipment damage," Rob McGarrah, General Manager at Tallahassee Electric & Gas Utility.

Tallahassee utility customers won't see any change in their bill from this project and it will not cost the city.

However city commissioners need to agree to let NextEra upgrade lines through 14 miles in the Capital City.

The project will run off Capital Circle Southeast replacing wooden poles. Making them better able to withstand hurricane-force winds.

The project will connect electrical stations from Columbia County to Jackson County.

"That will give us some enhanced reliability and resiliency in ability to move power in and out of our system," said McGarrah.

This proposal is set to go before the Tallahassee City Commission at their meeting on Wednesday.

Even if city leaders approve there's no time-line on when construction will start.