Legislative & Executive Branch Advocacy - Success Story

Project

Florida Gas Transmission Company (FGT), the largest natural gas pipeline serving the state, proposed expanding its natural gas system to meet the growing needs of the Gulf Coast and Florida to ensure an adequate, reliable, and secure energy supply. The $2.4 billion Phase VIII Expansion project consisted of adding 580 miles of pipeline in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. The project also added approximately 217,000 horsepower of compression at 10 existing stations with one new compressor station to be built in Okeechobee County, Florida. The scheduled in-service date of the project was the Spring of 2011.

Result

Wilson & Associates (W&A) was retained to assist with company communications to appropriate Florida policy audiences and convey consistent and current information as necessary.

W&A staff scheduled and hosted briefings with the Executive Office of the Governor, the Florida House, the Florida Senate, relevant regulatory agencies, and non-governmental organizations; allowing the company to explain the certificate application process, anticipated construction schedule, and economic development benefits of the Phase VIII Expansion.

W&A provided immediate and ongoing feedback to FGT personnel regarding the interests and concerns of state stakeholder groups regarding the project.

With our assistance, the Phase VIII Expansion proceeded on schedule and placed in-service on April 1, 2011.