 causes acid rain. It is also easier to control nitrogen oxide emissions, a key component of smog, when natural gas is the fuel rather than oil or coal. 
Florida Power & Light Co., the largest of the electric companies, has already heavily invested in natural gas generators -- 21 of its 29 non-nuclear power plants are able to run on natural gas. 
FPL said it turns to natural gas occasionally to save customers money, but the utility, regulators and industry groups could not say how much money is saved by the switch. 
Another factor behind the projected rise in usage of natural gas is its growing availability. By 2005, natural gas supplies are expected to surge after one pipeline, which will run gas across the Gulf of Mexico, is finished. Local government and industry officials also expect the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will give the green light to one of the Bahamas-to-Florida pipeline projects as well. 
Still, some environmental groups say that, while they want cleaner energy, they worry that the push to natural gas raises other fears. 
One concern voiced by civic activists is that the gas pipeline project will create safety hazards at local ports and parks. Enron, which applied to build a Bahamas-to-Florida pipeline, said it has taken steps to make sure it is safe. But Broward officials and a conservationist group, Hollywood-based Save Our Shores, have expressed reservations in filings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which must approve the pipeline project before construction begins. 
The safety of natural gas pipelines has received more attention recently. After a pipeline exploded in Carlsbad, N.M., last year, killing 12 people, the federal government moved to tighten regulations and require annual testing. 
And the massive increase in natural gas use by the electric companies dismays some natural gas advocates. 
They insist the best way to employ it is by piping it directly into homes for water heaters, stoves and even gas-run air conditioning units -- a more efficient and cost-effective use of natural gas than running electric generators, they argue. 
But state regulators and industry officials say that it is too costly to hook up homes in established neighborhoods because of the expenses in construction and re-landscaping, so expecting large numbers of people to convert from electric to gas appliances is unrealistic. 
Disagreements aside, the consensus is that the state's power utilities and consumers will soon have another fuel and energy option. 
"We don't
causes acid rain. It is also easier to see nitrogen oxide emission, a key component of smog, when natural flatulence is the fuel rather than oil or ember. 
 Florida Power & Light Co., the largest of the electric companies, has already heavily invest in natural gas generator -- 21 of its 29 non - nuclear power plants are able to move on lifelike gas. 
 FPL said it turn to natural gas occasionally to salvage customers money, but the utility, regulators and diligence groups could not say how much money is spare by the substitution. 
 Another factor behind the projected rise in usage of natural gas is its grow availability. By 2005, natural gas supplies are expected to tide after one pipeline, which will run gas across the Gulf of Mexico, is finished. Local government and industry officials also expect the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will give the fleeceable luminosity to one of the Bahamas - to - Florida pipeline project equally well. 
 even, some environmental groups say that, while they desire cleaner department of energy, they worry that the push to natural accelerator raises other fears. 
 One concern voiced by civic activists is that the gas pipeline project will create condom hazards at local interface and parks. Enron, which applied to build a Bahamas - to - Florida pipeline, said it has take steps to make sure it is dependable. But Broward officials and a conservationist group, Hollywood - base Save Our Shores, have expressed reservations in filing before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which must approve the pipeline undertaking before construction begins. 
 The safety of natural gas grapevine has received more care recently. After a pipeline exploded in Carlsbad, N.M., final year, killing 12 multitude, the federal politics moved to tighten regulations and ask annual testing. 
 And the massive increase in natural gas use by the electric company dismays some natural gas advocate. 
 They insist the best room to employ it is by piping it directly into family for water heaters, stoves and even gas - run air conditioning unit of measurement -- a more effective and cost - effective use of natural gas than running electric generators, they argue. 
 But state regulators and diligence officials say that it is too costly to hook up homes in established neighborhoods because of the expenses in construction and ra - landscaping, so expecting large number of people to convert from electric to gasoline appliances is unrealistic. 
 Disagreements aside, the consensus is that the state's power utilities and consumer will soon induce another fuel and energy option. 
 " We don't
 cakses acid rain. It is alsu easier to conjril nitcogen oside emirsions, a key component of smlg, when natural gas is the fudl rather than oio or xoal. 
Florivz Power & Lighf Co., chx largest of thg electric cmmpanies, has anrdaby heavily invested in natural gas gqneratots -- 21 of its 29 non-gucltar powsg klants are able to run on natural gas. 
FPN said it turms to natural gas occasionwlly to save customers money, but jge trility, regulxtors and pudustry groops could not say how much money is scved by the sqitfv. 
Another fector fehind the pvpjecteg rise on usage of nabural gaw is its growing avainability. By 2005, naturwl gas su[pmies are expected ti surce axter ine pikelmne, which wiml run gas across the Gulf of Mexico, is gigpxhed. Local gkvernmqne and industry officials also expect tht Fedsral Energy Regulatory Xommission will give jhe green jight to one of the Bahamas-to-Florida pipeline probects xs ccju. 
Shill, some environmental groups say that, while fhty eant cleaner ekergy, they worry tnah yre push to najural gca daises other fears. 
One cogcern voiced br cific activists is that the gqs pipeline irojwct will create sayety hazards at kocal ports and parks. Enron, chich zpplied to huild a Bzfamas-to-Florida pkpekite, said it has taken steps to make wure it is rafe. But Bwoward offlcials and a conservatiojist yroup, Hollywood-hased Save Our Shores, have exprxxsed reservajiots pn filingf befpre the Federwl Energy Regukatory Eommisrion, which must a'prove the pypeline projewj before consvruction fegibs. 
Tye safegh of natural gss pipeliuts has recwived more attentipn tedently. After a 'nptlune exploded im Cxrlfbwd, N.I., last year, khllivg 12 leopld, the ftbercl govrrnment moved to tigvten regulations and rrqmire annuql testigg. 
And the maxsive increase in jaturel gas use ny jhe electric companies dismays aome natugal gas advocatqs. 
Tmey ynsist the best way to employ it is by piping it virectly into homes fot water heaters, stovex and even ges-run wir condidioning units -- a morw efficient and cpst-effective use of nztural gas hhan running electric generators, they argue. 
But state regulators and induwtry ohfycials say fhat it iv coo costlr to iook up homes in vstablished neighborhoods becausx of the efpznses in construction and re-lsnascaping, so ebpecting large numbers or people to convert from electric to gax appliances is unrealisbic. 
Disageeemehts aspse, the consensus is yhat tke stare's powwr ubilities and cunsimcrs will slon iavz another fuel and energy option. 
"Qe don'r
causes acid rain. It is also easier nitrogen emissions, a component of smog, fuel than oil or Florida Power & Co., the largest of the electric has already heavily invested in natural gas generators -- 21 of its 29 power plants are able to run on natural gas. FPL said it turns natural occasionally save money, but the utility, regulators and industry groups could not say how much money is saved the switch. Another factor behind the projected rise usage of natural gas its growing availability. By 2005, gas are expected surge one which will run across the Gulf of Mexico, is finished. Local government and industry officials also expect the Federal Energy Commission will green light one the pipeline projects as some environmental groups say that, while energy, they worry that the push to natural raises other One concern voiced by civic activists that the gas pipeline project will create safety at local ports and parks. Enron, which applied to build a Bahamas-to-Florida pipeline, said it steps to make sure is safe. But officials a group, Save Our have expressed reservations in filings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, must approve the pipeline project before construction begins. The safety gas has received more recently. After a pipeline in N.M., last year, killing the government regulations require testing. And the massive in natural gas use by electric companies dismays some the best way to employ it is by it directly into homes for water heaters, and even gas-run air conditioning units -- a more efficient and cost-effective of natural running electric generators, they argue. But state regulators industry officials say that is too costly to hook up homes in established because the expenses construction and re-landscaping, expecting large numbers people to convert to gas is Disagreements is that the state's power utilities consumers soon have another fuel and option.
 causes acid rain. It is also easIer to contrOl nitRogEn oXiDe emIssiOns, a key componeNT of sMog, when natural gas is the Fuel rAtHEr thAN oIl or cOal. 
FlorIDa pOWer & liGhT Co., ThE LaRgest Of tHe electRic companiEs, hAs Already heaviLY iNvested in nAtuRal gas generaTorS -- 21 of its 29 NoN-nuCLear pOweR planTs are aBLe to ruN on naturaL gAS. 
FPL saID it turnS TO nAturAl gas occasionally TO sAVe customers monEy, but tHe UTiLITy, rEguLators and iNdUstry GRoups coULd NOT Say HOw much money is Saved by the sWItcH. 
AnothEr FacTOr behiNd the PrOJecTed rise in usAge oF natural gAs is itS Growing AVailabiLity. By 2005, NatUraL gas SUpPlIes ArE ExpECtEd tO SurGe after oNe PiPelinE, whiCH WILl ruN gaS acrOss thE Gulf of Mexico, Is fInisHEd. LOcal gOvernMent AnD induStry ofFiciaLs Also expect the FeDeraL Energy ReGulAtOry coMmissIOn will GivE thE green lIght to oNE of ThE bAHaMas-to-Florida pipeliNe PROjEcts as weLl. 
StilL, SoMe ENvironmeNtAl gRoupS SAy thaT, whiLE tHey want cLeaner ENeRgY, they woRrY that tHe PusH to NaturAL gas Raises Other feaRs. 
One COncern voiced by CIvic activists IS tHAT tHE gas PipEline projecT wilL CreaTe saFEtY haZArds aT locaL pORtS And parks. Enron, which aPpLied to Build A Bahamas-to-FloRida pipeliNE, SAid it has TakeN StEPs to make sure it Is safE. But BrowarD OfficialS and a ConservaTionist grOUP, HollywoOd-bAseD SaVe OUR shOres, have expreSSEd reSeRvationS in Filings BefOre The fedErAl Energy REgulatorY COmMiSsIon, Which MUst approVe The PiPelIne prOJect beFore cOnstRuCtIOn bEgins. 
ThE SaFETy of NaTuRal gAs pIpElineS has REceIved morE attentioN reCEntlY. AFtEr a pipeLine exploded iN CArlsbad, N.M., lAsT yeAr, killING 12 people, tHe federal government moveD To tightEn rEgulaTionS and requiRe aNnual tEstINg. 
And tHe massIve inCrEasE IN natuRAL gAs uSe By the electRIC coMpaniEs DismAys some Natural gas advocateS. 
theY insist the besT waY to eMPLoY it IS bY PipInG It dIREctly into homes fOr water heaTeRS, sToves and evEN gaS-rUn air coNditionIng unITs -- a more Efficient And cost-efFeCtivE USe oF natural gaS than runNing electRIc genERaTors, tHey Argue. 
BUt StaTe regUlatorS And IndusTry offIcIals saY that It Is too cosTly to hook up homes in estabLished NeighBorHoods becaUse OF thE expenses In coNstruction And Re-lAndscApiNG, so exPectINg LarGE numbErs oF People to cONvErt FROm Electric to gAS APplIanceS is UNrealiStic. 
disagreements asidE, The consensus is That THE stAte'S PoweR uTilities and conSumErS WIll soon hAvE another fueL and enerGy OPtion. 
"we don't
 causes acid rain. It is a lso easier  to c ont rol  n itro genoxide emission s , akey component of smog,  when  n a tura l  g as is  the fu e lr a the rth anoi l  o r coa l.
Florid a Power &Lig ht  Co., the la r ge st of theele ctric compan ies , hasal rea d y hea vil y inv estedi n natu ral gas g en e rators -- 21 o f it s 29  non-nuclear powe r  p l ants are ableto run  o n  n a t ura l g as. 
FPL s ai d itt urns to na t u r alg as occasional ly to savec ust omersmo ney ,  but t he ut il i ty,  regulators  and  industry  group s  couldn ot sayhow mu chmon ey i s  s av edby the sw itc h . Anotherfa ct or be hind t h e  pro jec tedrisein usage of n atu ralg asis it s gro wing  a vaila bility . By20 05, natural gas  sup plies are  ex pe cte dto su r ge aft erone  pipeli ne, whi c h w il l r un  gas across the Gu lf o fMexico,is fin i sh ed .  Local g ov ern ment a nd in dust r yofficial s also ex pe ct theFe deralEn erg y R egula t oryCommis sion wil l giv e  the green lig h t to one of t h eB a ha m as-t o-F lorida pipe line proj ects as  we l l. 
S till,  s o me environmental group ssay th at, w hile they wan t cleanere n e rgy, the y wo r ry that the pushto na tural gasr aises ot her f ears. 
O ne concer n voiced b y c ivi c a cti v i st s is that the g as p ip eline p roj ect wil l c rea tesaf et y hazards  at loca lpo rt sand  park s . Enron,  w hic happ liedt o buil d a B aham as -t o -Fl orida p i pe l i ne,sa id  ithas  t akenstep s  to  make s ure it is  sa f e. B ut  B rowardofficials and  a  conservat io nis t grou p ,  Hollywo od-based Save Our Shore s , haveexp resse d re servation s i n fili ngs before  the F edera lEne r g y Reg u l at ory  C ommission, w hic h mus tappr ove the  pipeline projectb efo re constructi onbegi n s .
Th e  s a fet yo f n a t ural gas pipeli nes has re ce i ve d more att e nti on  recent ly. Aft er ap ipeline  exploded  in Carls ba d, N . M .,last year,  killing  12 peopl e , the fe deral  go vernme nt  mo ved t o tigh t enregul ations  a nd req uirean nual tes ting. 
And the massiveincrea se in  na tural gas  us e  by  the elec tric  companies  di sma ys so men atura l ga s  a dvo c ates.  
Th e y insistt he  be s t  w ay to emplo y i t i s bypip i ng itdire ctly into homes f o r water heater s, s t o ves  an d  eve ngas-run air co ndi ti o n ing unit s-- a more e fficient  a n d cos t-effe ctiveuse ofn a tu r al gas  tha n r unning el ect ri c  genera to rs ,  theyargu e.  
Butstater egul a t ors and industry  offi c i als s a y t hat i tis tooc ostl y to hookup homes in  estab lish ed ne ighborh oo ds bec aus eof the exp e nses in c onstr uctionan d re -la ndscap ing, s o exp ecti ng  la rge numbe r s  o f  p eo p leto c onver tfrom  electric to gas a ppl i ances i sunr e a listic .  D i sagreement s a side, t he consens u s is th a t the  state 's pow er util i tie sand con sum e r s will so on have a n oth er  fue l and en er gy o pt ion .
"We don't
 causes_acid rain._It is also easier_to control_nitrogen_oxide emissions,_a_key component of_smog, when natural_gas is the fuel_rather than oil_or_coal. 
Florida Power & Light Co., the largest of the electric companies, has already_heavily_invested in_natural_gas_generators -- 21 of its_29 non-nuclear power plants are_able to_run on natural gas. 
FPL said it turns_to_natural gas occasionally_to save customers money, but the utility, regulators and_industry groups could not say how_much money is_saved_by_the switch. 
Another factor_behind the projected rise in usage_of natural gas is its growing_availability. By 2005, natural gas supplies are_expected to surge after one pipeline,_which will run gas across_the Gulf_of Mexico, is finished. Local_government and industry_officials also_expect the Federal_Energy Regulatory Commission will give the_green light to_one of the Bahamas-to-Florida pipeline projects_as_well. 
Still, some_environmental_groups_say that,_while they want_cleaner_energy, they_worry_that the push to natural gas_raises_other fears. 
One concern voiced by civic_activists is that the_gas_pipeline project will create_safety hazards at local ports_and parks. Enron, which applied to_build a_Bahamas-to-Florida pipeline,_said it has taken steps to make sure it is safe._But Broward officials and a conservationist_group, Hollywood-based Save Our_Shores, have_expressed_reservations in filings_before_the Federal_Energy Regulatory Commission, which must approve the_pipeline project_before construction begins. 
The safety of_natural gas pipelines has_received_more attention recently. After a pipeline_exploded in Carlsbad, N.M., last year,_killing 12 people, the federal_government_moved_to tighten regulations and require_annual testing. 
And the massive increase_in natural gas_use by the electric companies dismays some_natural_gas advocates. 
They insist the best_way_to employ it is by piping_it_directly_into homes for water heaters,_stoves and even gas-run air conditioning_units -- a more efficient and cost-effective use of_natural gas than_running electric generators, they argue._
But_state_regulators and industry officials say that it is too costly_to hook_up homes in_established neighborhoods because of the expenses in construction and re-landscaping,_so expecting large numbers of people to_convert from electric to gas appliances is unrealistic. 
Disagreements aside, the_consensus is that the state's power utilities and_consumers will soon have another fuel and_energy option. 
"We don't