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Neighbors Sue FPL: 'Living in a Laundromat'
29 Aug
Summary
- Dania Beach residents sue FPL over constant noise from a power plant.
- Lawsuits claim the new plant's noise disrupts sleep and quality of life.
- A trial date is tentatively set for late next year.
Dania Beach homeowners have initiated a lawsuit against Florida Power and Light (FPL) due to persistent noise pollution from the Dania Beach Clean Energy Center. This legal action encompasses 86 individual lawsuits, with plaintiffs alleging the new power plant produces constant, disruptive sounds akin to jet engines or loud machinery, especially during nighttime hours. Residents report being unable to enjoy quiet evenings and resorting to measures like earplugs to sleep.
Completed in 2022, the Dania Beach Clean Energy Center was promised to be more efficient and quieter than its predecessor. However, residents assert that upon its activation, the noise levels became unbearable, a situation residents were told would be temporary but persists. Legal arguments have been presented, with FPL's defense noting some plaintiffs' proximity to flight paths, a comparison residents dismiss due to the transient nature of aircraft noise.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs proposed a 'bellwether' case strategy to potentially resolve the numerous individual claims. However, this approach has faced opposition. The residents are seeking damages for diminished property values and demanding sound mitigation solutions to restore tranquility to their neighborhood, hoping to reclaim their quality of life.
