Progress Energy to complete restoration of power to St. George Island Thursday night

Tropical Storm Debby damage prompts acceleration of new transmission line project

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (June 28, 2012) – Progress Energy Florida crews are nearing completion of
a new transmission line from Eastpoint to St. George Island that will restore power to the island. The
company has updated the estimated repair time and power is now expected to be restored by 8 p.m.
tonight. Severe weather conditions spawned by Tropical Storm Debby disrupted power to St. George
Island. Progress Energy accelerated the new transmission line project to restore power in time for the 4 th
of July holiday.


Sunday evening, Tropical Storm Debby destroyed three transmission structures carrying the line that
supplies electricity to St. George Island. Rather than repairing the old line, Progress Energy expedited
the new line project, resulting in a quicker repair.


“After a thorough evaluation of our options, it was more favorable for our customers to accelerate the
new project,” said Vincent Dolan, Progress Energy Florida president and CEO. “This important project
helps strengthen the system against severe weather, and underscores our company’s commitment to
delivering dependable electric service to all our customers.”


The work included using helicopter crews to access the transmission structures crossing St. George
Sound.


Once the transmission line is energized, there is a possibility that some customers may find that they are
experiencing individual outages as a result of additional storm damage. Customers on St. George Island,
or elsewhere on Progress Energy Florida’s system, still without power from the storm should report
the outage at 800-228-8485. Using the company’s automated reporting system ensures each outage is
captured in the restoration plan and will allow Progress Energy to provide restoration time estimates and
updates to individual customers.


Under the original plan, electric service was to be switched to the upgraded, storm-hardened line on
July 9. The company has rebuilt more than 38 miles of high-voltage transmission lines running from
Port St. Joe to Eastpoint and out to St. George Island to improve service in Gulf and Franklin counties
and strengthen the line against storms. The old wooden transmission structures were impacted by
severe weather three times over the last five years. The newly installed concrete transmission poles
and the upgraded distribution lines weathered Tropical Storm Debby without incident. As part of the
overall project, Progress Energy also upgraded the distribution lines on St. George Island and performed
vegetation management work to further strengthen the system.


The $50 million transmission line rebuild project has been under construction since 2010, with the final
segment connecting Eastpoint to St. George Island to be energized tonight.


Media contact: Progress Energy Florida 24-hour media line, 866.520.6397
Follow Progress Energy Florida on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ProgEnergyFL
Follow Progress Energy Florida on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProgressEnergyFlorida


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