Resolution 494-2007
Marine Resources
RESOLUTION 494 - 2007
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTING THE TEMPORARY
INSTALLATION BY KEYS HYDRO POWER OF AN
EXPERIMENTAL HYDROKINETIC TURBINE AT A
SPECIFIC LOCATION IN BAHIA HONDA CHANNEL,
WHICH HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE APPROPRIATE
FOR THE PROPOSED TESTING AND SHOULD NOT
POSE ANY SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
OR NAVIGATIONAL HAZARD.
WHEREAS, Florida Keys Hydropower Research Corporation, an active non-profit
Florida corporation doing business as Keys Hydro Power, is proposing to study the feasibility of
building tidal current hydro turbine farms in channels of the Florida Keys for the purpose of
generating electricity; and
WHEREAS, a successful result of the feasibility study will lead to the design of hydro
turbine farnls that have the potential of providing electricity at less expense for the citizens,
businesses, government and military in the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, Keys Energy System, the utility providing electricity for Key West and the
Lower Keys to the Seven Mile Bridge, has a contract with the Florida Municipal Power Agency
to purchase all its power; and
WHEREAS, the major expense of purchased power is fuel cost; and
WHEREAS, there is no fuel cost to power a tidal turbine; and
WHEREAS, tidal turbines are environmentally friendly alternative sources of energy
that do not produce climate change emissions; and
WHEREAS, Keys Hydro Power, Keys Electric System, and the Florida Municipal
Power Agency are in mutual cooperation; and
WHEREAS, Keys Hydro Power proposes to eventually generate substantial clean
electricity in the Florida Keys and connect it to the existing grid systems; and
WH]~REAS, a primary objective of Keys Hydro Power is to promote conversion to
renewable, emission-free energy and environmental responsibility in the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed a
resolution supporting and encouraging the proposed hydro-power testing at a regular meeting
held on October 17,2007; and
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WHEREAS, seafloor studies have determined that a proposed test site in Bahia Honda
Channel, approximately five hundred feet south of the Bahia Honda Bridge, located at position
24039' 14.6" N 81.0 17' 19.6" W is void of any significant benthic resources;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners;
1. The BOCC supports the testing of a hydrokinetic turbine by Keys Hydro Power at
the proposed test site in Bahia Honda Channel, located at position 240 39' 14.6"
North and 810 17' 19.6" West, which should pose no significant environmental
impacts or navigational hazard.
2. The County Marine Resources Office shall support the proposed hydro power
testing, and will cooperate and coordinate with Keys Hydro Power to assist in
expediting the testing.
3. The BOCC encourages all local, state, and federal authorities to support this
innovative approach to keeping the Florida Keys, a national treasure, green.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a meeting of said Board held on the 19th day of December, A.D., 2007.
Mayor Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Mayor Pro Tern Mario DiGennaro
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy
Commissioner George Neugent
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Yes
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Yes
(SEAL)
Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
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Deputy Clerk
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