FORT PIERCE, Fla., March 14, 2008 – A power plant under construction in Midway Industrial Park will undergo a short-term testing phase Sunday that temporarily vents more steam than will be normal when the plant begins regular operation.

As part of the start-up process, the power plant is burning liquid fuel-rather than its normal natural gas-to test the back-up fuel system and ensure it meets output and emissions performance requirements. When the steam is vented to the atmosphere during liquid fuel testing, it creates a visible plume of water vapor and low level smoke. This testing phase is not representative of how the unit normally will operate.

This testing is permitted under the power plant’s licensing permits. The power plant will operate within all permits required of St. Lucie County and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Known as the Treasure Coast Energy Center, this natural gas fueled power plant incorporates advanced environmental control technologies that will make it one of the lowest emission and highest efficiency plants in Florida. Treasure Coast Energy Center is wholly owned by Florida Municipal Power Agency and will be operated under contract by Fort Pierce Utilities Authority.

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Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power company owned by 30 municipal electric utilities. FMPA provides economies of scale in power generation and related services to support community-owned electric utilities. The members of FMPA serve approximately 2 million Floridians. FMPA’s members include Alachua, Bartow, Blountstown, Bushnell, Chattahoochee, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Gainesville, Green Cove Springs, Havana, Homestead, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Lake Worth, Lakeland, Leesburg, Moore Haven, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach, Newberry, Ocala, Orlando, Quincy, St. Cloud, Starke, Vero Beach, Wauchula and Williston. Additional information is available on the Internet at www.fmpa.com.