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There is a reason behind this state policy. That reason is simple. In Florida there are -67 counties and over 390 cities. If each local government had the right to impose its own requirements with respect to transmission facilities, a hodgepodge of methods of siting and construction could result and costs and resulting capital requirements could mushroom. Delay in construction and, therefore, in service availability and reliability would ensue. Locally influential citizens might convince the local elected officials that the line ought to be built in the neighborhood of someone with less political influence or to exclude the line altogether from the boundaries of the local government. The Florida Supreme Court has.recognized this concern in the case of Florida Power Corporation v. Seminole County, 589 So.2d 105, 107 (Fla. 1991) in finding that the regulation of the electric utility is a matter of state not local concern. Further, as the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania stated in Duquesne Light Company v. Upper St. Clair Township et. al., 105 A2d 287 (Pa. 1954)-- one of the cases cited with approval by the Florida Supreme Court in the Florida Power Corporation case, supra,-- Local authorities not only are ill-equipped to comprehend the needs of the public beyond their jurisdiction, but, and equally important, those authorities, if they had the power to regulate, necessarily would exercise that power with an eye toward the local situation and not with the best interests of the public at large." Transmission lines, unlike substations or generating plants, must cross several different local government jurisdictions in order to transmit or transport the electricity. There must be alignment between the different local jurisdictions. The lines must be built according to sound engineering practices and in a cost effective manner. The state-wide interest of public welfare could be negated by the perceived local interest. A local government has the authority, pursuant to section 337.401, Florida Statutes (1993) to issue permits for utility use of road rights-of-way to ensure that the presence of the utility facilities on the road right-of-way does not interfere with the traveling public. This permitting authority, however, is not regulatory authority. The local government may not regulate the route selection of the transmission line either through its land development regulations or its general police powers. Because the local government has no jurisdiction over route selection for transmission lines, the local government has no jurisdiction to require that the electric utility provide written notice of such route or appear upon mandate at a public informational meeting. Whether it is the electric utility, a religious group or an individual, a local government may not simply mandate that the group or individual appear before the Commission and justify itself or its actions to the public. As stated above, FPL takes pride in its work. FPL is striving to improve its operations to continue to provide reliable low-cost electricity. FPL will, on occasion and as FPL deems prudent, hold voluntary meetings with local residents to explain FPL plans and construction needs. This voluntary and case-by-case basis is critical. FPL must preserve its right to act free of local government politics in order to meet state requirements and FPL's operational requirements. FPL provides electric service to all or part of 35 different counties and approximately 175 different municipalities. FPL must protect its ability and right to build lines according to sound engineering practices and in a cost effective manner. MAY 2 41994 59 nu 92 FAGc 504