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FP&L customers ask when electricity rate hikes will finally stop after recent increase approved

By Lauren Seabrook, WFTV.com
By Lauren Seabrook, WFTV.com
In January, Florida Power & Light customers were hit with a rate increase that will increase the average home’s bill by $10 by 2019.
In September, FP&L hit customers with a $5 per month rate hike to pay for bonds and a surcharge connected to Hurricane Irma costs.
On Tuesday, the Florida Public Service Commission approved another rate hike, which will add an average of $1.60 to customers’ bills.
FP&L customer Bob Cushman said it feels like the utility company was constantly adding a few dollars here and a few dollars there to his bill.
Many people in his neighborhood live on a fixed income, so those dollars add up, he said.
“I know some of the people around here have been really complaining about it,” Cushman said. “(They are) having trouble coming up with the extra money.”
The most recent rate increase will go to clean up a coolant leak at FP&L’s Turkey Point power plant.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy officials said more than 800 customers asked the Commission to deny FP&L’s request for a rate hike.
Members of the Commission said the increase was approved because the cooling projects were required by three separate government agencies and that the expense of cleanup is reasonable.
The rate increase will also go to pay for other environmental programs, Commission members said.
Cushman was frustrated about having to pay more for his power, but didn’t see there was much he could do about it.
“We’re stuck with FP&L, and we can’t go out and survey and try and find somebody cheaper,” he said. “So, we have to go with what they say, I guess.”

Cox Media Group

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