FPL continues comprehensive investment program to make electrical infrastructure resistant to increased hurricane activity
March 2, 2009

JUNO BEACH, Fla. – Florida Power & Light Company plans to invest more than $200 million in 2009 as part of its ongoing investment program to make the electrical infrastructure more resistant to increased hurricane activity.

The company discussed its 2009 plans and 2008 accomplishments in its annual storm strengthening and reliability report filed today with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC).

“We are continuing to invest to make our infrastructure stronger and more reliable in good weather and bad. While no system will be immune to the devastating power of a hurricane, our goal is to minimize damage to critical infrastructure and increase the resiliency of the system. And while these investments are designed to respond to the potential for more frequent, more powerful hurricanes, they are also delivering customer benefits by enhancing day-to-day reliability as well," said FPL President and CEO Armando J. Olivera.

2008 Infrastructure Investments and 2009 Action Plan
Following the 2004–2005 hurricane seasons that saw seven storms in a 15-month period, FPL responded to the state’s call to maintain a high level of storm preparation no matter whether a hurricane season has been mild or severe. FPL embarked on a series of comprehensive investments and expenditures to strengthen its electric infrastructure to better withstand the impact of severe weather, recognizing that no utility can be 100 percent storm-proof. They are:

• Distribution Pole Inspections.  FPL has completed the second full year of its eight-year distribution pole inspection program. Since May 2006, the company has inspected more than 380,000 poles, or about one third of its 1.1 million poles. Using an aggressive three-pronged approach of inspections, record keeping and reporting, FPL is examining approximately 500 poles a day throughout its service area. In 2009, FPL plans to inspect 139,000 poles at a total cost of $32 million to $42 million.

• Transmission Structure Inspections.  In 2008, FPL inspected more than 16,000 transmission structures, or 25 percent of the total. In 2009, the company plans to invest between $1.8 million and $2 million to inspect at least 17 percent of its transmission structures. The company also plans to spend an additional $14 million to $16 million completing transmission work identified during the 2008 inspections.

• Distribution Vegetation Management.  In 2008, FPL continued its three-year cycle for clearing vegetation from distribution main lines and completed the second year of its six-year cycle for neighborhood lines. Overall, FPL trimmed trees and cleared vegetation from more than 11,000 miles throughout the state. Total costs in 2008 were $57.9 million, with 2009 costs expected to be $68.3 million.
 
• Strengthening the Distribution System.  In 2008, FPL upgraded and strengthened power lines serving 49 acute medical care facilities, two power plants, and 32 major highway crossings. FPL also strengthened poles, wires and equipment on 21 main lines serving areas where businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations serve the basic needs of communities. Costs for these initiatives totaled $54.6 million. In 2009, FPL plans to complete the strengthening of power lines and equipment serving the remaining 18 acute medical care facilities in its service area. FPL also plans to strengthen power lines serving 26 hospitals, 35 emergency (911) facilities, one emergency operations center, two police stations, one fire station, 40 major highway crossings, and 11 power lines running along main thoroughfares. The total 2009 investment is expected at $85 million. 

• Storm Readiness.  FPL is preparing for the 2009 storm season by completing all tree-trimming of power lines serving hospitals, 911 emergency centers, special needs shelters and police and fire stations by June 1. In May, FPL is planning to prepare its workforce through its annual company-wide hurricane dry run exercise. FPL is completing its plans for additional out-of-state workers essential to a restoration effort. The company is also working to secure potential staging sites and restocking its storm material inventory.

2008 Reliability Performance
The reliability of FPL’s distribution system was the best ever in 2008. The average amount of time FPL customers were without power due to distribution issues in 2008 fell to 67 minutes from 73 minutes the year before as measured on the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), which utilities nationwide use to report their reliability performance. FPL’s score on the index is 47 percent better than the latest national average of 126 minutes compiled in 2007. The distribution system consists of the poles, wires and transformers that service streets and neighborhoods.

FPL’s distribution reliability improved on other measures as well. The system average frequency of power interruptions was reduced by 12 percent, and the average number of times a customer experienced momentary power interruptions decreased by 8 percent. 

In addition to FPL’s investments in programs to better withstand the impact of severe weather, in 2009, FPL will invest an estimated $48 million on distribution reliability programs aimed at further reducing customer outages through aggressive preventative maintenance projects on its overhead and underground facilities.

FPL also reported that its transmission system – the high-voltage lines that carry electricity from power plants to substations – experienced a longer than usual service interruption due to the Feb. 26, 2008, substation event. On that date, a field engineer was diagnosing a switch that had malfunctioned. Without authorization and contrary to FPL’s standards and procedures, the engineer disabled two levels of relay protection. A fault occurred, and because both levels of relay protection had been removed, it caused an outage that affected approximately 600,000 FPL customers in southeast Florida for an average of one hour. The outage raised the average annual amount of time customers were without power due to transmission issues from four minutes to 13 minutes.

“This incident was an aberration from the high quality of service we provide, and we deeply regret the inconvenience that it caused our customers and the communities we serve,” Olivera said. "We are always working to improve our performance so that our customers continue to enjoy overall service reliability levels among the best in the country."

Excluding the 2008 substation outage, over the past five years (2004–2008) FPL’s transmission system has achieved an annual average amount of time of customers without power of less than four minutes.

Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States.  FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with more than 11,000 employees.  The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are well below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and the No. 1 energy efficiency program among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based FPL Group (NYSE: FPL). For more information, visit www.FPL.com.

Cautionary Statements And Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Reform Act), FPL Group, Inc. (FPL Group) and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) are hereby providing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause FPL Group's or FPL's actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Reform Act) made by or on behalf of FPL Group and FPL in this press release, on their respective websites, in response to questions or otherwise.  Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance, climate change strategy or growth strategies (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as will, will likely result, are expected to, will continue, is anticipated, aim, believe, could, should, would, estimated, may, plan, potential, projection, target, outlook, predict and intend or words of similar meaning) are not statements of historical facts and may be forward-looking.  Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties.  Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors (in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements) that could cause FPL Group's or FPL's actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of FPL Group and FPL.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and FPL Group and FPL undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances, including unanticipated events, after the date on which such statement is made, unless otherwise required by law.  New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement.

The following are some important factors that could have a significant impact on FPL Group's and FPL's operations and financial results, and could cause FPL Group's and FPL's actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements:

FPL Group and FPL are subject to complex laws and regulations and to changes in laws and regulations as well as changing governmental policies and regulatory actions.  FPL holds franchise agreements with local municipalities and counties, and must renegotiate expiring agreements.  These factors may have a negative impact on the business and results of operations of FPL Group and FPL.

FPL Group and FPL are subject to complex laws and regulations, and to changes in laws or regulations, with respect to, among other things, allowed rates of return, industry and rate structure, operation of nuclear power facilities, construction and operation of generation facilities, construction and operation of transmission and distribution facilities, acquisition, disposal, depreciation and amortization of assets and facilities, recovery of fuel and purchased power costs, decommissioning costs, return on common equity and equity ratio limits, transmission reliability and present or prospective wholesale and retail competition.  This substantial and complex framework exposes FPL Group and FPL to increased compliance costs and potentially significant monetary penalties for non compliance.  The Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) has the authority to disallow recovery by FPL of any and all costs that it considers excessive or imprudently incurred.  The regulatory process generally restricts FPL's ability to grow earnings and does not provide any assurance as to achievement of earnings levels.

• FPL Group and FPL also are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations, as well as the effect of changes in or additions to applicable statutes, rules and regulations that relate to, or in the future may relate to, for example, air quality, water quality, climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide emissions, waste management, marine and wildlife mortality, natural resources, health, safety and renewable portfolio standards that could, among other things, restrict or limit the output of certain facilities or the use of certain fuels required for the production of electricity and/or require additional pollution control equipment and otherwise increase costs.  There are significant capital, operating and other costs associated with compliance with these environmental statutes, rules and regulations, and those costs could be even more significant in the future.

• FPL Group and FPL operate in a changing market environment influenced by various legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding regulation, deregulation or restructuring of the energy industry, including, for example, deregulation or restructuring of the production and sale of electricity, as well as increased focus on renewable and clean energy sources and reduction of carbon emissions.  FPL Group and its subsidiaries will need to adapt to these changes and may face increasing costs and competitive pressure in doing so.

• FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations could be affected by FPL's ability to negotiate or renegotiate franchise agreements with municipalities and counties in Florida.

The operation and maintenance of power generation, transmission and distribution facilities involve significant risks that could adversely affect the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

• The operation and maintenance of power generation, transmission and distribution facilities involve many risks, including, for example, start up risks, breakdown or failure of equipment, transmission and distribution lines or pipelines, the inability to properly manage or mitigate known equipment defects throughout FPL Group's and FPL's generation fleets and transmission and distribution systems, use of new or unproven technology, the dependence on a specific fuel source, failures in the supply or transportation of fuel, the impact of unusual or adverse weather conditions (including natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and droughts), and performance below expected or contracted levels of output or efficiency.  This could result in lost revenues and/or increased expenses, including, for example, lost revenues due to prolonged outages and increased expenses due to monetary penalties or fines, replacement equipment costs or an obligation to purchase or generate replacement power at potentially higher prices to meet contractual obligations.  Insurance, warranties or performance guarantees may not cover any or all of the lost revenues or increased expenses.  Breakdown or failure of an operating facility of NextEra Energy Resources may, for example, prevent the facility from performing under applicable power sales agreements which, in certain situations, could result in termination of the agreement or subject NextEra Energy Resources to incurring a liability for liquidated damages.

The operation and maintenance of nuclear facilities involves inherent risks, including environmental, health, regulatory, terrorism and financial risks, that could result in fines or the closure of nuclear units owned by FPL or NextEra Energy Resources, and which may present potential exposures in excess of insurance coverage.

• FPL and NextEra Energy Resources own, or hold undivided interests in, nuclear generation facilities in four states.  These nuclear facilities are subject to environmental, health and financial risks such as on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel, the ability to dispose of spent nuclear fuel, the ability to maintain adequate reserves for decommissioning, potential liabilities arising out of the operation of these facilities, and the threat of a possible terrorist attack.  Although FPL and NextEra Energy Resources maintain decommissioning trusts and external insurance coverage to minimize the financial exposure to these risks, it is possible that the cost of decommissioning the facilities could exceed the amount available in the decommissioning trusts, and that liability and property damages could exceed the amount of insurance coverage.

• The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has broad authority to impose licensing and safety-related requirements for the construction and operation and maintenance of nuclear generation facilities.  In the event of non-compliance, the NRC has the authority to impose fines or shut down a unit, or both, depending upon its assessment of the severity of the situation, until compliance is achieved.  NRC orders or new regulations related to increased security measures and any future safety requirements promulgated by the NRC could require FPL and NextEra Energy Resources to incur substantial operating and capital expenditures at their nuclear plants.  In addition, if a serious nuclear incident were to occur at an FPL or NextEra Energy Resources plant, it could result in substantial costs.  A major incident at a nuclear facility anywhere in the world could cause the NRC to limit or prohibit the operation or licensing of any domestic nuclear unit.

• In addition, potential terrorist threats and increased public scrutiny of utilities could result in increased nuclear licensing or compliance costs which are difficult or impossible to predict.

The construction of, and capital improvements to, power generation and transmission facilities involve substantial risks.  Should construction or capital improvement efforts be unsuccessful or delayed, the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL could be adversely affected.

• The ability of FPL Group and FPL to complete construction of, and capital improvement projects for, their power generation and transmission facilities on schedule and within budget are contingent upon many variables that could delay completion, increase costs or otherwise adversely affect operational and financial results, including, for example, limitations related to transmission interconnection issues, escalating costs for materials and labor and environmental compliance, delays with respect to permits and other approvals, and disputes involving third parties, and are subject to substantial risks.  Should any such efforts be unsuccessful or delayed, FPL Group and FPL could be subject to additional costs, termination payments under committed contracts, loss of tax credits and/or the write-off of their investment in the project or improvement.

The use of derivative contracts by FPL Group and FPL in the normal course of business could result in financial losses or the payment of margin cash collateral that adversely impact the results of operations or cash flows of FPL Group and FPL.

• FPL Group and FPL use derivative instruments, such as swaps, options, futures and forwards, some of which are traded in the over the counter markets or on exchanges, to manage their commodity and financial market risks, and for FPL Group to engage in trading and marketing activities.  FPL Group could recognize financial losses as a result of volatility in the market values of these derivative instruments, or if a counterparty fails to perform or make payments under these derivative instruments and could suffer a reduction in operating cash flows as a result of the requirement to post margin cash collateral.  In the absence of actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources, the valuation of these derivative instruments involves management's judgment or use of estimates.  As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these derivative instruments.  In addition, FPL's use of such instruments could be subject to prudence challenges and, if found imprudent, cost recovery could be disallowed by the FPSC.

• FPL Group provides full energy and capacity requirement services, which include load-following services and various ancillary services, primarily to distribution utilities to satisfy all or a portion of such utilities’ power supply obligations to their customers.  The supply costs for these transactions may be affected by a number of factors, such as weather conditions, fluctuating prices for energy and ancillary services, and the ability of the distribution utilities’ customers to elect to receive service from competing suppliers, which could negatively affect FPL Group’s results of operations from these transactions.

FPL Group's competitive energy business is subject to risks, many of which are beyond the control of FPL Group, including, but not limited to, the efficient development and operation of generating assets, the successful and timely completion of project restructuring activities, the price and supply of fuel and equipment, transmission constraints, competition from other generators, including those using new sources of generation, excess generation capacity and demand for power, that may reduce the revenues and adversely impact the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group.

• There are various risks associated with FPL Group's competitive energy business.  In addition to risks discussed elsewhere, risk factors specifically affecting NextEra Energy Resources' success in competitive wholesale markets include, for example, the ability to efficiently develop and operate generating assets, the successful and timely completion of project restructuring activities, maintenance of the qualifying facility status of certain projects, the price and supply of fuel (including transportation) and equipment, transmission constraints, the ability to utilize production tax credits, competition from other and new sources of generation, excess generation capacity and shifting demand for power.  There can be significant volatility in market prices for fuel, electricity and renewable and other energy commodities, and there are other financial, counterparty and market risks that are beyond the control of NextEra Energy Resources.  NextEra Energy Resources' inability or failure to effectively hedge its assets or positions against changes in commodity prices, interest rates, counterparty credit risk or other risk measures could significantly impair FPL Group's future financial results.  In keeping with industry trends, a portion of NextEra Energy Resources' power generation facilities operate wholly or partially without long-term power purchase agreements.  As a result, power from these facilities is sold on the spot market or on a short-term contractual basis, which may increase the volatility of FPL Group's financial results.  In addition, NextEra Energy Resources' business depends upon power transmission and natural gas transportation facilities owned and operated by others; if transmission or transportation is disrupted or capacity is inadequate or unavailable, NextEra Energy Resources' ability to sell and deliver its wholesale power or natural gas may be limited.

FPL Group's ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions is subject to significant risks, including, but not limited to, the effect of increased competition for acquisitions resulting from the consolidation of the power industry.

• FPL Group is likely to encounter significant competition for acquisition opportunities that may become available as a result of the consolidation of the power industry in general.  In addition, FPL Group may be unable to identify attractive acquisition opportunities at favorable prices and to complete and integrate them successfully and in a timely manner.

FPL Group and FPL participate in markets that are often subject to uncertain economic conditions, which makes it difficult to estimate growth, future income and expenditures.

• FPL Group and FPL participate in markets that are susceptible to uncertain economic conditions, which complicate estimates of revenue growth.  Because components of budgeting and forecasting are dependent upon estimates of revenue growth in the markets FPL Group and FPL serve, the uncertainty makes estimates of future income and expenditures more difficult.  As a result, FPL Group and FPL may make significant investments and expenditures but never realize the anticipated benefits, which could adversely affect results of operations.  The future direction of the overall economy also may have a significant effect on the overall performance and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

Customer growth and customer usage in FPL's service area affect FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations.

• FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations are affected by the growth in customer accounts in FPL's service area and by customer usage.  Customer growth can be affected by population growth.  Customer growth and customer usage can be affected by economic factors in Florida and elsewhere, including, for example, job and income growth, housing starts and new home prices.  Customer growth and customer usage directly influence the demand for electricity and the need for additional power generation and power delivery facilities at FPL.

Weather affects FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations, as can the impact of severe weather.  Weather conditions directly influence the demand for electricity and natural gas, affect the price of energy commodities, and can affect the production of electricity at power generating facilities.

• FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations are affected by changes in the weather.  Weather conditions directly influence the demand for electricity and natural gas, affect the price of energy commodities, and can affect the production of electricity at power generating facilities, including, but not limited to, wind, solar and hydro-powered facilities.  FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations can be affected by the impact of severe weather which can be destructive, causing outages and/or property damage, may affect fuel supply, and could require additional costs to be incurred.  At FPL, recovery of these costs is subject to FPSC approval.

Adverse capital and credit market conditions may adversely affect FPL Group's and FPL's ability to meet liquidity needs, access capital and operate and grow their businesses, and increase the cost of capital.  Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the financial markets can also adversely impact the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL, as well as exert downward pressure on the market price of FPL Group's common stock.

• Having access to the credit and capital markets, at a reasonable cost, is necessary for FPL Group and FPL to fund their operations, including their capital requirements. Those markets have provided FPL Group and FPL with the liquidity to operate and grow their businesses that is not otherwise provided from operating cash flows.  Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in those markets can increase FPL Group's and FPL's cost of capital.  If FPL Group and FPL are unable to access the credit and capital markets on terms that are reasonable, they may have to delay raising capital, issue shorter-term securities and/or bear an unfavorable cost of capital, which, in turn, could adversely impact their ability to grow their businesses, decrease earnings, significantly reduce financial flexibility and/or limit FPL Group's ability to sustain its current common stock dividend level.

• The market price and trading volume of FPL Group's common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to, among other things, general stock market conditions and changes in market sentiment regarding FPL Group and its subsidiaries' operations, business, growth prospects and financing strategies.

FPL Group’s, FPL Group Capital’s and FPL’s inability to maintain their current credit ratings may adversely affect FPL Group’s and FPL’s liquidity, limit the ability of FPL Group and FPL to grow their businesses, and would likely increase interest costs.

• FPL Group and FPL rely on access to capital and credit markets as significant sources of liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by operating cash flows.  The inability of FPL Group, FPL Group Capital and FPL to maintain their current credit ratings could affect their ability to raise capital or obtain credit on favorable terms, which, in turn, could impact FPL Group's and FPL's ability to grow their businesses and would likely increase their interest costs.

FPL Group and FPL are subject to credit and performance risk from third parties under supply and service contracts.

• FPL Group and FPL rely on contracts with vendors for the supply of equipment, materials, fuel and other goods and services required for the construction and operation of, and for capital improvements to, their facilities, as well as for business operations.  If vendors fail to fulfill their contractual obligations, FPL Group and FPL may need to make arrangements with other suppliers, which could result in higher costs, untimely completion of power generation facilities and other projects, and/or a disruption to their operations.

FPL Group and FPL are subject to costs and other potentially adverse effects of legal and regulatory proceedings, as well as regulatory compliance and changes in or additions to applicable tax laws, rates or policies, rates of inflation, accounting standards, securities laws, corporate governance requirements and labor and employment laws.

• FPL Group and FPL are subject to costs and other potentially adverse effects of legal and regulatory proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims, as well as regulatory compliance and the effect of new, or changes in, tax laws, rates or policies, rates of inflation, accounting standards, securities laws, corporate governance requirements and labor and employment laws.

• FPL and NextEra Energy Resources, as owners and operators of bulk power transmission systems and/or critical assets within various regions throughout the United States, are subject to mandatory reliability standards promulgated by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and enforced by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  These standards, which previously were being applied on a voluntary basis, became mandatory in June 2007.  Noncompliance with these mandatory reliability standards could result in sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties, which likely would not be recoverable from customers.

Threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism, cyber attacks, or individuals and/or groups attempting to disrupt FPL Group's and FPL's business may impact the operations of FPL Group and FPL in unpredictable ways.

• FPL Group and FPL are subject to direct and indirect effects of terrorist threats and activities, as well as cyber attacks and disruptive activities of individuals and/or groups.  Infrastructure facilities and systems, including, for example, generation, transmission and distribution facilities, physical assets and information systems, in general, have been identified as potential targets.  The effects of these threats and activities include, but are not limited to, the inability to generate, purchase or transmit power, the delay in development and construction of new generating facilities, the risk of a significant slowdown in growth or a decline in the U.S. economy, delay in economic recovery in the United States, and the increased cost and adequacy of security and insurance.

The ability of FPL Group and FPL to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be adversely affected by international, national, state or local events and company-specific events.

• FPL Group's and FPL's ability to obtain insurance, and the cost of and coverage provided by such insurance, could be adversely affected by international, national, state or local events as well as company-specific events.

FPL Group and FPL are subject to employee workforce factors that could adversely affect the businesses and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

• FPL Group and FPL are subject to employee workforce factors, including, for example, loss or retirement of key executives, availability of qualified personnel, inflationary pressures on payroll and benefits costs and collective bargaining agreements with union employees and work stoppage that could adversely affect the businesses and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

The risks described herein are not the only risks facing FPL Group and FPL.  Additional risks and uncertainties also may materially adversely affect FPL Group's or FPL's business, financial condition and/or future operating results.