Community Effort Pauses FPL Transmission Line Project Over Choctawhatchee Bay

At its second regular session held at the South Walton Courthouse Annex on March 3, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners shared news that many in our community quietly hoped for.

A proposed transmission line project from Florida Power & Light that would have crossed Choctawhatchee Bay adjacent to the Clyde Wells Bridge has been tabled — at least for now.

And that didn’t happen by accident.

How It Started

In 2024, FPL announced plans to install transmission lines over the bay to increase capacity. While the project had secured the necessary permits, community members quickly raised concerns — not just about aesthetics, but about long-term resilience.

“We just felt like that was, from an aesthetic perspective, pretty horrible,” said Leigh Moore of Scenic Walton. “We really didn’t want to detract from the beautiful views across the bay.”

Beyond the visual impact, there were practical concerns. If lines suspended over open water were damaged during a storm event, repair timelines could be significant — potentially affecting power reliability when it’s needed most.

Rather than accepting the proposal as final, Moore worked alongside Walton County Commissioner Tony Anderson, County Attorney Clay Adkinson, and engaged residents including Barbara Morano to advocate for alternatives.

FPL indicated they would study the possibility of placing the lines beneath the bay instead and began reviewing costs.

Then came unexpected news.

Recently, FPL informed county representatives that they had decided to table the entire project. While not permanently canceled, the transmission line will not move forward in the near future. Instead, FPL identified alternative ways to increase system capacity without constructing the proposed bay crossing.

A Rare Win — and a Collaborative One

Commissioner Anderson described it plainly: “It was a community effort, a government effort… but you don’t win against Florida Power & Light.”

Yet this time, collaboration prevailed.

It’s important to note that FPL had the legal authority and approvals necessary to proceed. The decision to reconsider and pause the project reflects a willingness to listen — and that deserves recognition.

Moore called it “a huge victory for Walton County, for this community and for our citizens.”

The stretch across Choctawhatchee Bay is more than a commute. It’s a daily reminder of why so many of us choose to live here — the open water, the unbroken horizon, the sense of place that defines Walton County.

Protecting that view isn’t about resisting progress. It’s about asking thoughtful questions, exploring alternatives, and ensuring growth aligns with the character and resilience of our community.

This moment serves as a reminder: when citizens engage, when local leadership listens, and when corporations are willing to reconsider, meaningful outcomes are possible.

For now, the view across the bay remains uninterrupted.

And that’s something worth celebrating.