Electric Co-op Today

When a co-op’s assets and all of its 31,000 consumer-members are located on barrier islands in a hurricane zone, it makes sense to storm-proof headquarters as much as possible.

Florida Keys Electric Co-op’s new Tavernier headquarters is made to withstand 200 mph winds. (Photo By: Florida Keys Electric Co-op)

“The storm seasons of 2004 and 2005 really brought home the need for us to protect our fleet and critical inventory of supplies,” said Scott Newberry, CEO of Florida Keys Electric Co-op, Tavernier. The building’s exterior was completed last November.

Limited operations inside the building began in March, even as interior construction continued.

The co-op held an open house for its consumer-members June 19. It gave co-op officials an opportunity to show members how the investment could help improve service, particularly restoration work after a major storm.

Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma were just three of the weather systems that battered the complex in recent years, said Newberry. “We had about $1 million in inventory in an unrated warehouse that might not have survived a serious storm.”

Co-op board members called for an assessment of their options, which included hardening or rebuilding some facilities. They ultimately decided to build a $13.67 million storm-hardened facility capable of housing all headquarters functions under one roof.

Tags: Hurricanes, Preparedness, Storm Hardening, Weather