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State Issues Max Fine After FPL Contractor Herbicide Application
July 2, 2026
A state investigation has found that a contractor working for Florida Power & Light misused herbicides during an aerial application in Santa Rosa County after the death of several animals.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) will fine the contractor Industrial Helicopters $20,000, the maximum allowed.
The spraying occurred on May 20 and caused several farmers to complain about damage to property, including farm animals. State Senator Don Gaetz then asked FDACS to investigate.
The FDACS investigation found that herbicides were misused and misapplied in aerial overspraying by Industrial Helicopters, which was operating under a contract with FPL to control brush growth under power transmission lines.
Specifically, Gaetz said the contractor was cited for “conducting an aerial application which resulted in pesticide drift to a non-target site, for failing to follow pesticide label restrictions and for failing to comply with the rules related to use of organo-auxin herbicides.”
“My priority is to ensure that the concerns of affected residents are taken seriously and that the facts surrounding this incident are fully investigated. Property owners deserve answers when an event of this nature results in the loss of animals, concerns about environmental impacts and questions regarding the safety of aerial spraying near homes and farms,” Gaetz said. “I will continue to monitor this matter closely and encourage all agencies involved to take appropriate action.”
Gaetz is encouraging FDACS to forward their findings to the FAA to look for potential violations.
“I am also ensuring that the Public Service Commission, which regulates Florida Power and Light, is informed of the investigation,” the senator said.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, FPL said:
“We understand that FPL’s vegetation management activity has raised concerns for some families, farmers and residents. At FPL, we have taken their concerns very seriously, paused contractor activity related to herbicidal spraying and cooperated fully with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) throughout its investigation.
“We are reviewing the department’s findings carefully.
“Vegetation management is essential to keeping the electric grid safe and reliable, and it must be performed responsibly and with appropriate safeguards. Any time a contractor performs work for FPL, we want to ensure it meets both the state’s standards and our high expectations for customer safety and service.
“We have policies and procedures in place for vegetation management and will continue to evaluate our oversight processes to uphold our high standards for safety and environmental responsibility for our customers and the communities we serve.”
File photo.
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