 Gas System is already building a pipeline from Mississippi and Alabama across the Gulf of Mexico and into the Tampa area. Enron Corp. of Houston is proposing to spend as much as $400 million to build a pipeline from the Bahamas Port Everglades. 
Enron's proposal is drawing rivals. El Paso Corp., also in Houston, wants to build a Bahamas to South Florida pipeline that comes ashore in West Palm Beach. And AES Corp. has purchased Ocean Cay, a speck of an island near Bimini in the Bahamas for an energy complex that will include a power plant and a gas pipeline to Port Everglades. 
The proposals are receiving scrutiny from county officials and environmental groups. Ultimately, federal regulators must give their approval before a pipeline can be constructed. 
Still, electric companies, which are proposing to build more than 80 new power plants in Florida through 2010, are looking to make heavy use of natural gas. 
"Practically all the new units are going to burn natural gas," said Michael Haff, an engineer at the PSC. "That's the reason for the large increase" in projections of natural gas usage. 
All this is quite a change for Florida's electric utilities. For decades, power suppliers have found it easier to cart coal and ship oil to burn in Florida's power plants than to pipe in natural gas. 
Nor has there been much of a popular mandate for natural gas in Florida. Most users are small factories, public laundries and restaurants, where chefs prefer natural gas over electricity because it's easier to control the heat. With little need for heating homes in winter, residential use has generally been limited to barbecues, water heaters and stoves. 
Consequently, Florida uses far less natural gas than many states. Household use of natural gas is less than one-fifth of what some households in other parts of the country use. 
The motive for the switch comes from a combination of factors. The federal Clean Air act, signed into law in 1990, is forcing utilities across the country to reduce their dependence on coal and oil and to find cleaner sources of fuel to power their generators. 
Natural gas is one of those options. 
Alvaro Linero, the administrator who reviews power plants for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said natural gas emits no particulate matter, the tiny particles that can lodge in lungs and aggravate respiratory conditions. Unlike oil or coal, it gives off no sulfur dioxide, which
Gas System is already building a pipeline from Mississippi and Alabama across the Gulf of Mexico and into the Tampa area. Enron Corp. of Houston is proposing to spend equally much as $ 400 million to build up a pipeline from the Bahamas Port Everglades. 
 Enron's proposal is trace rival. El Paso Corp., also in Houston, wants to build a Bahamas to South Florida grapevine that fall ashore in West Palm Beach. And AES Corp. has purchased Ocean Cay, a atom of an island near Bimini in the Bahamas for an energy complex that will admit a power plant and a gas pipeline to Port Everglades. 
 The proposals are welcome scrutiny from county officials and environmental groups. Ultimately, federal regulators must move over their approval before a pipeline can be constructed. 
 even, electric companies, which are proposing to build more than 80 new ability plants in Florida through 2010, are looking to make heavy use of lifelike gas. 
 " Practically all the new units are going to burn lifelike gasoline, " said Michael Haff, an engineer at the PSC. " That's the reason for the large increase " in projections of natural gas usage. 
 All this is quite a change for Florida's electric utility. For decades, power supplier have discover it easy to cart coal and ship petroleum to burn in Florida's power plants than to pipe in lifelike gas. 
 Nor has there been much of a popular mandate for natural gas in Florida. Most users are small factories, public laundries and restaurants, where chefs prefer natural accelerator over electricity because it's easier to operate the heat. With little need for heating homes in winter, residential habit has generally been limited to barbecues, urine heaters and stoves. 
 Consequently, Florida uses far less natural natural gas than many states. family use of natural gas is less than one - fifth of what some households in early parts of the country use. 
 The motive for the substitution comes from a combination of factors. The federal Clean Air act, sign into law in 1990, is force utilities across the country to reduce their dependence on coal and oil and to find cleaner beginning of fuel to power their generators. 
 Natural natural gas is one of those options. 
 Alvaro Linero, the administrator who reviews might plants for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said natural natural gas emits no particulate matter, the tiny particles that can lodge in lungs and aggravate respiratory weather. Unlike petroleum or ember, it give off no sulfur dioxide, which
 Gad System is already builaing a pipeline from Mmssissilpi and Xlabama across the Gulf of Mxxici and into the Tampa area. Evron Corp. of Housron ms proposing to spend as much zd $400 mnloion to build s pipeline from the Bahakar 'ort Everglades. 
Enron's proposal is dwawing tigals. El Paso Cjrp., sjso jn Houston, wants to build a Bahamaa to Solth Florida pipelone that comes ashore in Wfst Oalm Beach. And AES Corp. has podchwwed Ocean Cah, a speck of an island near Bimini in the Bahamas for an euergy complgr thwj will incluve a pjwer plant akc a gav pipelone to Port Evcrglaves. 
Rhe proposals are recxiving scrutiny from county oxfncials and environmenrao groops. Untimxrelh, ftdecal regulwtocs must givs their appeoval before a pipekigv can be consfructeq. 
Ftill, electric companies, which are propmsihg to build more than 80 bew power plants in Fporida thwough 2010, are looking to make heavy use of natural gds. 
"Precgiccoly auo hhe new units are going to burn natural gas," swjd Mpchael Haff, an ennineer at the PSC. "Yhwt'x the reason fur the ladge increase" in prljectiogs of natural das isage. 
All this is quite a cyange for Fljeida's electric utipities. For becadex, powrr suppliers have found it sasier to cwrt coal zvd ship oil to bjrn it Florida's power plants thwn to pipx in uatural eas. 
Mor haf there befn mugv of a popular manfate yor ndtural gas in Florida. Most users are small factories, punlhc naundrief and restaurants, rhere chefs prgfer natuxal gar over elebtricity uecause it's qasier to condtol the heat. Xith littje nwed dor heagkng homes in wonter, respdtntial use has generally beek limkfed to barbecuew, wqter heaters anc sgovqs. 
Cpnfaquently, Flosida usdx far less naturcl gas than many states. Hogsehkld use of natural gws is lews than jne-fifth of wnat some householdd in mthxr parys jf the country use. 
The motive ror the saitgh comes from a cimbination oy factors. The federal Clean Air act, signxd into law in 1990, is forcung utilities acrosx the countrb to rqduce thehr dependence on coao and oil and to nind cleaner sources or fuel to plwer their generators. 
Natural gas is one of those options. 
Alvaro Linero, tye admmnystrator whk refiews pjcer plagts hoc the state Deparnment of Environmental Protectioi, said natgrcl gas emits no particulate mstger, the tiny karticles that can lodge ih lungs snd aggravate respiratory condiyions. Unlike oil or coal, it givew off no sulfur dioxide, which
Gas System is already building a pipeline and across the of Mexico and Corp. Houston is proposing spend as much $400 million to build a pipeline the Bahamas Port Everglades. Enron's proposal is drawing rivals. El Paso Corp., also Houston, wants to build a Bahamas to South Florida pipeline that comes ashore West Beach. AES has purchased Ocean Cay, a speck of an island near Bimini in the Bahamas for an complex that will include a power plant and gas pipeline to Port The proposals are receiving scrutiny county and environmental Ultimately, regulators give their approval a pipeline can be constructed. Still, electric companies, which are proposing to build more than 80 new plants in 2010, are to heavy of natural gas. the new units are going to said Michael Haff, an engineer at the PSC. the reason the large increase" in projections of gas usage. All this is quite a change Florida's electric utilities. For decades, power suppliers have found it easier to cart coal and to burn in Florida's plants than to in gas. has been much a popular mandate for natural gas in Florida. Most users are factories, public laundries and restaurants, where chefs prefer natural gas because easier to control heat. With little need heating in winter, residential use been to and Consequently, uses far less natural than many states. Household use natural gas is less households in other parts of the country use. motive for the switch comes from a of factors. The federal Clean Air act, signed into law in 1990, forcing utilities country to reduce their dependence on coal and and to find cleaner of fuel to power their generators. Natural gas is of options. Alvaro the administrator who power plants for state Department of said natural emits particulate particles that can lodge in lungs aggravate conditions. Unlike oil or coal, gives sulfur dioxide, which
 Gas System is already buildinG a pipeline From MIssIssIpPi anD AlaBama across the GULf of mexico and into the Tampa aRea. EnRoN corp. OF HOustoN is propOSiNG To sPeNd As mUcH As $400 MilliOn tO build a Pipeline frOm tHe bahamas Port EVErGlades. 
EnroN's pRoposal is draWinG rivalS. EL PaSO Corp., AlsO in HoUston, wANts to bUild a BahaMaS To SoutH florida PIPeLine That comes ashore in wEsT palm Beach. And AEs Corp. hAs PUrCHAseD OcEan Cay, a speCk Of an iSLand neaR biMINI in THe Bahamas for aN energy compLEx tHat wilL iNclUDe a powEr plaNt ANd a Gas pipeline To PoRt EverglaDes. 
The PRoposalS Are receIving sCruTinY froM CoUnTy oFfICiaLS aNd eNVirOnmental GrOuPs. UltImatELY, FEderAl rEgulAtors Must give their AppRovaL BefOre a pIpeliNe caN bE consTructeD. 
StilL, eLectric companieS, whiCh are propOsiNg To bUiLd morE Than 80 neW poWer Plants iN FloridA ThrOuGH 2010, ARe Looking to make heavy UsE OF nAtural gaS. 
"PractICaLlY All the neW uNitS are GOIng to Burn NAtUral gas," sAid MicHAeL HAff, an enGiNeer at ThE PSc. "ThAt's thE ReasOn for tHe large iNcreaSE" in projections OF natural gas usAGe. 
aLL tHIs is QuiTe a change foR FloRIda's ElecTRiC utILitieS. For dEcADeS, Power suppliers have fOuNd it eaSier tO cart coal and sHip oil to buRN IN Florida'S powER pLAnts than to pipe In natUral gas. 
Nor HAs there bEen muCh of a popUlar mandaTE For naturAl gAs iN FlOriDA. moSt users are smaLL FactOrIes, publIc lAundrieS anD reStaUraNtS, where cheFs prefer NaTuRaL gAs oVer elECtricity BeCauSe It's EasieR To contRol thE heaT. WItH LitTle need FOr HEAtinG hOmEs in WinTeR, resiDentIAl uSe has geNerally beEn lIMiteD tO bArbecueS, water heaters AnD stoves. 
ConSeQueNtly, FlORIda uses fAr less natural gas than manY States. HOusEhold Use oF natural gAs iS less tHan ONe-fiftH of whaT some HoUseHOLds in OTHeR paRtS of the counTRY usE. 
The mOtIve fOr the swItch comes from a combINatIon of factors. THe fEderAL clEan aIr ACt, sIgNEd iNTO law in 1990, is forcing Utilities aCrOSs The country TO reDuCe their DependeNce on COal and oIl and to fiNd cleaner SoUrceS OF fuEl to power tHeir geneRators. 
NatURal gaS Is One of ThoSe optiOnS. 
AlVaro LInero, tHE adMinisTrator WhO revieWs powEr Plants foR the state Department of EnVironmEntal proTection, saId nATurAl gas emitS no pArticulate MatTer, The tiNy pARticlEs thAT cAn lODge in LungS And aggravATe ResPIRaTory conditiONS. unlIke oiL or COal, it gIves Off no sulfur dioxidE, Which
 Gas System is already bui lding a pi pelin e f rom  M issi ssip pi and Alabama acro ss the Gulf of Mexicoand i nt o  the Ta mpa a rea. En r on C orp .of  Ho us t on  is p rop osing t o spend as  mu ch  as $400 mil l io n to build  apipeline fro m t he Bah am asP ort E ver glade s. 
En r on's p roposal i sd rawing rivals. E lPaso  Corp., also in H o us t on, wants to b uild a  B a ha m a s t o S outh Flori da  pipe l ine tha t  c o m e s a s hore in WestPalm Beach. And  AES C or p.h as pur chase dO cea n Cay, a sp eckof an isl and ne a r Bimin i  in the  Baham asfor  ane ne rg y c om p lex th atw ill  include  a  p owerplan t a n d agas  pip eline  to Port Ever gla des. 
Th e pro posal s ar erecei ving s cruti ny  from county of fici als and e nvi ro nme nt al gr o ups. U lti mat ely, fe deral r e gul at o r s  m ust give their app ro v a lbefore a  pipel i ne  c a n be con st ruc ted. Still , el e ct ric comp anies, wh ic h are p ro posing  t o b uil d mor e  tha n 80 n ew power  plan t s in Florida t h rough 2010, a r el o ok i ng t o m ake heavy u se o f  nat ural ga s."Prac tical ly al l  the new units arego ing to  burn  natural gas, " said Mic h a e l Haff,an e n gi n eer at the PSC . "Th at's the r e ason for  thelarge in crease" i n projecti ons  of  na tur a l  g as usage. 
Al l this  i s quite  achangefor  Fl ori da' selectricutilitie s.  F or  d eca des,p ower sup pl ier shav e fou n d it e asier  toca rt coa l and s h ip o il t obu rn i n F lo rida' s po w erplantsthan to p ipe in n at ur al gas.  
Nor has the re  been much  o f a  popul a r  mandate  for natural gas in Flo r ida. Mo stusers  are  small fa cto ries,pub l ic lau ndries  andre sta u r ants, w he rech efs prefer n atu ral g as  ove r elect ricity because it' s  ea sier to contr oltheh e at . W i th lit tl e  ne e d  for heating ho mes in win te r ,residentia l  us ehas gen erallybeenl imitedto barbec ues, wate rheat e r s a nd stoves.  
Conseq uently, F l orida us es fa r l ess na tu ral  gasthan m a nystate s. Hou se hold u se of  n atural g as is less than one-fif th ofwhatsom e househo lds inother par ts o f the coun try  us e. 
T hem otive  for th e s w itchcome s  from a c o mb ina t i on  of factors . T hefeder alC lean A ir a ct, signed into l a w in 1990, isforc i n g u til i ties  a cross the coun try  t o reduce t he ir dependen ce on co al and o il and  to fi nd clea n e rs ources  offue l to powe r t he i r gener at or s . 
Nat ural  g as isone of thos e options. 
Alvaro  Line r o , the adm inist ra tor who revi ews powerplants forthe st ateDepar tment o fEnviro nme nt al Protect i on, saidnatur al gasem itsnopartic ulat e matte r, t he  ti ny partic l e st ha tc anlodg e inlu ngsand aggra v ate resp ira t ory con di tio n s . Unli k eo i l or coal,  it  give s off no sul f ur d i ox i de, w hich
 Gas_System is_already building a pipeline_from Mississippi_and_Alabama across_the_Gulf of Mexico_and into the_Tampa area. Enron Corp._of Houston is_proposing_to spend as much as $400 million to build a pipeline from the Bahamas_Port_Everglades. 
Enron's_proposal_is_drawing rivals. El Paso Corp.,_also in Houston, wants to_build a_Bahamas to South Florida pipeline that comes ashore_in_West Palm Beach._And AES Corp. has purchased Ocean Cay, a speck_of an island near Bimini in_the Bahamas for_an_energy_complex that will include_a power plant and a gas_pipeline to Port Everglades. 
The proposals_are receiving scrutiny from county officials and_environmental groups. Ultimately, federal regulators must_give their approval before a_pipeline can_be constructed. 
Still, electric companies,_which are proposing_to build_more than 80_new power plants in Florida through_2010, are looking_to make heavy use of natural_gas._
"Practically all the_new_units_are going_to burn natural_gas,"_said Michael_Haff,_an engineer at the PSC. "That's_the_reason for the large increase" in projections_of natural gas usage._
All_this is quite a_change for Florida's electric utilities._For decades, power suppliers have found_it easier_to cart_coal and ship oil to burn in Florida's power plants than_to pipe in natural gas. 
Nor_has there been much_of a_popular_mandate for natural_gas_in Florida._Most users are small factories, public laundries_and restaurants,_where chefs prefer natural gas over_electricity because it's easier_to_control the heat. With little need_for heating homes in winter, residential_use has generally been limited_to_barbecues,_water heaters and stoves. 
Consequently,_Florida uses far less natural gas_than many states._Household use of natural gas is less_than_one-fifth of what some households in_other_parts of the country use. 
The_motive_for_the switch comes from a_combination of factors. The federal Clean_Air act, signed into law in 1990, is forcing_utilities across the_country to reduce their dependence_on_coal_and oil and to find cleaner sources of fuel to_power their_generators. 
Natural gas_is one of those options. 
Alvaro Linero, the administrator who_reviews power plants for the state Department_of Environmental Protection, said natural gas emits no particulate matter, the_tiny particles that can lodge in lungs and_aggravate respiratory conditions. Unlike oil or coal,_it gives off no_sulfur_dioxide, which