FPL Energy Inc., a subsidiary of FPL Group Inc. plans to build,own and operate a 700 MW gas-fired power plant in Bellingham, MA.FPL Energy signed a purchase agreement with Massachusetts-basedInfrastructure Development Co. (IDC) for the right to build theplant. IDC planned the project, has been working with localcommunities and the state to obtain regulatory approvals and willcontinue to assist FPL Energy with development. Information on theplant’s projected gas consumption was unavailable.

If regulatory approvals are completed by September, constructionof the combined-cycle plant is expected to begin late this year orearly in 2000. The plant’s output will be sold in New England’swholesale market.

“This new plant will continue FPL Energy’s growth in a key powermarket and further expand our portfolio of clean-energy generation,said FPL Energy President Michael Yackira. “We now haveapproximately 5,000 megawatts of generating capacity in operationor committed, with more than half of that total fueled by clean-burning natural gas.”

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