Florida Power & Light's nearly $10 billion rate case took a significant turn this week, potentially impacting millions of Florida residents' power bills. Multiple groups representing utility customers submitted a counter-proposal to FPL's original plan, backing a $5.2 billion increase instead.
Patty Blake Plum, a resident of Bonita Springs, expressed concern over the proposed increases.
"With these increases that Florida Power & Light is suggesting, I wonder about people who don’t have as much money to depend on… gas prices are up, grocery prices are up… how much more can people take?" said Plum.
The Office of Public Counsel, an advocate for utility customers, argued that FPL's original request is not in the public's interest.
FPL responded by stating "FPL stands behind its proposed settlement agreement which was developed jointly with a broad coalition of customer groups and would enable FPL to continue investing for reliable service in a growing state while keeping customer bills well below the national average through the end of the decade. The purported “settlement” filed by the Office of Public Counsel (OPC) has no legal merit as an enforceable settlement, by definition, resolves the differences of two or more adverse parties. What the OPC has filed involves three parties who are already aligned, which is like settling with yourself. The OPC will have the opportunity to explain before the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) their positions on FPL’s proposed agreement according to the schedule the PSC issued.
Fort Myers resident Noah Moore shared his concerns.
"I mean that takes away like, you know, food, groceries, gas, you know, all the other things that everybody needs to live, you know, day-to-day… I don't live a luxurious lifestyle," said Moore.
Consumer advocate group Florida Rising told WINK News that their alternative deal would allow FPL to earn a strong profit while saving Floridians billions over time. It aims to lower the average residential bill in 2026 from about $92 to $86 per month.
“FPL wants to make Floridians pay nearly $7 billion more for the same electricity and services,” says MacKenzie Marcelin, Deputy Director of Campaigns at Florida Rising. “This settlement puts fairness back on the table for Florida families. FPL, in opposing it, have turned their back on the people who keep this state running.”
The Florida Public Service Commission will review this proposal before making a decision. An informal meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. If approved, customers may see increased bills starting in January of next year.