Florida Power & Light (FPL) is planning to raise rates, prompting advocacy groups to encourage customers to attend a town hall meeting Wednesday at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers to voice their opposition.
Although there are meetings elsewhere in the state and a few planned virtual meetings in June, this meeting is the only one in the area.
FPL stated that the rate increase is necessary to cover operating costs and generate a profit. The company last raised rates in 2021, resulting in an increase of about $13 per month.
A typical FPL customer on the Gulf Coast pays about $134 a month for 1,000 kilowatt-hours. With a rate hike, bills could rise to nearly $142 per month by 2027.
"FPL is asking for billions in profit while older Floridians and hardworking families are struggling to keep the lights on," AARP Florida's director of advocacy said. "We need regulators to protect consumers, not utility giants."
The meeting at the Lee Civic Center is an opportunity for customers to discuss the proposed rate hike. It is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
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