ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 14, 2001 – Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) and the Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) hosted a dedication ceremony Dec. 14 for a third generating unit at Cane Island Power Park. The new $135.7 million generator is located on 1,027 acres in Intercession City, nine miles southwest of Kissimmee.

The Joseph M. Tardugno Unit 3 is a 250-megawatt combined-cycle combustion turbine that joins Unit 1 (40 MW) and Unit 2 (120 MW) in establishing Cane Island as one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly power plants in the nation. KUA and FMPA share equal ownership in the Cane Island site. The electricity produced at Cane Island not only serves the energy needs of Osceola county, but 200,000 customer accounts in cities throughout Florida. Construction on Unit 3 began in December 1999.

“Unit 3 represents a significant capital investment in Osceola county,” said Jim Welsh, president and general manager of KUA. “Operation of this power plant and excess energy sales will continue to contribute to Central Florida’s economy for many years to come. And, the power plant employs 37 skilled operations personnel, who contribute economically and socially to this community.”

The dedication ceremony — which is open to FMPA member systems, local dignitaries, invited guests and the media — will include the unveiling of a dedication plaque and power plant tours. The public open house of the plant that was previously scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 15, has been cancelled due to heightened security at power plants nationwide.

Unit 3 is named in memory of Joseph M. Tardugno, former director of Leesburg’s electric utility. Leesburg is one of 13 Florida cities served by the Cane Island plant. Tardugno was killed in an automobile accident on Thanksgiving weekend in 1999 — two weeks before the Unit 3 groundbreaking.

KUA is Florida’s seventh largest community-owned utility serving 53,000 electric, water and Internet customers in four Central Florida counties. KUA is celebrating its 100th year of serving the community in 2001.