Jun 14 - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Will Rodgers Tampa Tribune, Fla.

For months, state regulators have pressed Florida's power producers about inspecting power lines, trimming trees and burying equipment to ensure the lights stay on after a major storm.

A study released Tuesday, however, raises questions about whether power companies would be able to get the fuel that helps generate more than one-third of Florida's electricity, after a hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico.

According to Cambridge Energy Research Associates, 38 percent of the electricity that powers homes and businesses in Florida comes from power plants that burn natural gas.

"Florida remains at risk for significant gas supply disruptions," even though the power plants have oil and coal stored as backup fuels, said the report written by Kenneth L. Yeasting, CERA director.

The report stopped short of saying those disruptions would lead to blackouts.

Just two pipeline companies -- Florida Gas Transmission and Gulfstream Natural Gas System -- ship gas into Florida, fueling mostly power plants and industrial operations.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina knocked out 80 percent to 90 percent of the natural gas production for a day. That led to calls for power conservation in Florida because officials were concerned about having enough fuel to generate electricity to meet customer demand.

Tampa Electric Co., which generates 40 percent of its power from natural gas, acknowledged its vulnerability, although the company has taken steps to minimize risk.

"Yes, we think the natural gas supply, in the event of a natural disaster, is a problem that people should be concerned about," said Laura Duda, a Tampa Electric spokeswoman.

To help reduce its vulnerability, Tampa Electric buys natural gas from both pipelines, has purchased and stored gas that can be shipped into the state in an emergency and generates the majority of its power from coal, Duda said.

At St. Petersburg-based Progress Energy Florida Inc., the company's diverse fuel mix helps "us to better handle supply issues," said Cherie Jacobs, a spokeswoman.

Natural gas is used for 20 percent of the power the company generates.

Oil and nuclear each represent 20 percent of the company's fuel mix, and the remaining 40 percent is coal, she said.

Ken Wiley, president and chief executive officer of the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council, said he's not concerned about Florida now but in the future. The state will get nearly 50 percent of its electricity from burning natural gas in five years, he said.

The group, charged with ensuring Florida's electric supply, also is studying the state's vulnerability because of natural gas.

"This is very high on our radar screen," Wiley said.