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September 2015 1-1 14-14979 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION This chapter of the Site Certification Application (SCA) provides background on the Site and the applicant, Florida Power&Light Company(FPL or the Company). Chapter 1 also addresses specific applicant information requirements, provides an overview of the Okeechobee Clean Energy Center Project (OCEC or Project) for which FPL seeks certification, references the state determination of need and separate federal licensing projects, and provides a summary of FPL's public outreach program for the Project. 1.1 Introduction FPL proposes to construct a new combined cycle natural gas fired generating unit (OCEC Unit 1), providing approximately 1,600 megawatts(MW)nominal of electric generation in 2019. The Project for which FPL is seeking certification includes the construction and operation of OCEC Unit 1, the Site to be certified (the "Site"), as well as associated linear facilities. The Site is comprised of approximately 2,341 acres of FPL's 2,842 acre Property located adjacent to the existing 500-kV transmission system in northeastern Okeechobee County (Figure 1.1-i). The Site includes an area designated for potential future development of approximately 200 MW of photovoltaic (PV) solar generation that will bring the net ultimate Site capacity to 1,800 MW nommal. A conceptual illustration of OCEC Unit 1 is presented in Figure 1.1-2. FPL purchased the Property in unincorporated Okeechobee County in 2011. The Site is ideally located in an area adjacent to both natural gas and electrical transmission through lateral connections or existing structures. The Site also has groundwater available to support plant operations including process water, steam cycle makeup, cooling water makeup, and miscellaneous plant uses. A boundary survey that contains the Site legal description on FPL Property is included in Attachment C of Appendix 10.4. FPL is seeking approval of the OCEC Project under the Florida Electrical Power Plant Siting Act (PPSA), Chapter 403, Part 11, Florida Statutes (F.S.). The PPSA provides a centralized review and licensing process for new steam or solar electrical generating facilities in Florida of 75 MW or greater,balancing"the increasing demand for electrical power with the broad interests of the public." The Florida Public Service Commission(FPSC) is the sole forum for the determination of need for a proposed facility (Section 403.519, F.S.). FPL is currently seeking a determination of need for the OCEC Unit 1. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) acts as the coordinator for the Site Certification process, with input from various state, regional, and local agencies, along with interested citizens. Ultimate disposition of the SCA is determined by the Governor and Cabinet Attachment 1 b 179 I