(1) A local government within whose jurisdiction the power plant is proposed to be sited may hold one informational public meeting in addition to the hearings specifically authorized by this act on any matter associated with the electrical power plant proceeding. Such informational public meetings shall be held by the local government or by the regional planning council if the local government does not hold such meeting within 70 days after the filing of the application. The purpose of an informational public meeting is for the local government or regional planning council to further inform the public about the proposed electrical power plant or associated facilities, obtain comments from the public, and formulate its recommendation with respect to the proposed electrical power plant.
(2) Informational public meetings shall be held solely at the option of each local government. It is the legislative intent that local governments attempt to hold such public meetings. Parties to the proceedings under this act shall be encouraged to attend; however, no party other than the applicant and the department shall be required to attend such informational public meetings.
(3) A local government that intends to conduct an informational public meeting must provide notice of the meeting to all parties not less than 5 days prior to the meeting and to the general public in accordance with s. 403.5115(5). The expense for such notice is eligible for reimbursement under s. 403.518(2)(c)1.
(4) The failure to hold an informational public meeting or the procedure used for the informational public meeting is not grounds for the alteration of any time limitation in this act under s. 403.5095 or grounds to deny or condition certification.
History.—s. 27, ch. 2006-230; s. 72, ch. 2008-227; s. 19, ch. 2015-30.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 403 - Environmental Control
Part II - Electrical Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting (Ss. 403.501-403.539)
403.503 - Definitions relating to Florida Electrical Power Plant Siting Act.
403.504 - Department of Environmental Protection; powers and duties enumerated.
403.5055 - Application for permits pursuant to s. 403.0885.
403.506 - Applicability, thresholds, and certification.
403.5063 - Notice of intent to file application.
403.5064 - Application; schedules.
403.5065 - Appointment of administrative law judge; powers and duties.
403.5066 - Determination of completeness.
403.50663 - Informational public meetings.
403.50665 - Land use consistency.
403.507 - Preliminary statements of issues, reports, project analyses, and studies.
403.508 - Land use and certification hearings, parties, participants.
403.509 - Final disposition of application.
403.5095 - Alteration of time limits.
403.510 - Superseded laws, regulations, and certification power.
403.511 - Effect of certification.
403.5112 - Filing of notice of certified corridor route.
403.5113 - Postcertification amendments and review.
403.5116 - County and municipal authority unaffected by ch. 75-22.
403.512 - Revocation or suspension of certification.
403.514 - Enforcement of compliance.
403.515 - Availability of information.
403.516 - Modification of certification.
403.517 - Supplemental applications for sites certified for ultimate site capacity.
403.5175 - Existing electrical power plant site certification.
403.5185 - Law applicable to applications processed under ss. 403.501-403.518.
403.519 - Exclusive forum for determination of need.
403.522 - Definitions relating to the Florida Electric Transmission Line Siting Act.
403.523 - Department of Environmental Protection; powers and duties.
403.524 - Applicability; certification; exemptions.
403.525 - Administrative law judge; appointment; powers and duties.
403.5251 - Application; schedules.
403.5252 - Determination of completeness.
403.526 - Preliminary statements of issues, reports, and project analyses; studies.
403.527 - Certification hearing, parties, participants.
403.5271 - Alternate corridors.
403.5272 - Informational public meetings.
403.5275 - Amendment to the application.
403.528 - Alteration of time limits.
403.529 - Final disposition of application.
403.531 - Effect of certification.
403.5312 - Filing of notice of certified corridor route.
403.5315 - Modification of certification.
403.5317 - Postcertification activities.
403.532 - Revocation or suspension of certification.
403.533 - Enforcement of compliance.
403.536 - Superseded laws, regulations, and certification power.
403.5363 - Public notices; requirements.
403.537 - Determination of need for transmission line; powers and duties.
403.539 - Certification admissible in eminent domain proceedings; attorney’s fees and costs.