Tweet Subscribe to receive your daily serving of Capital Soup. Tweet
Tweet Submit your news and opinions to Capital Soup free of charge. Tweet
Tweet For rates and availability, contact ads@capitalsoup.com. Tweet
Tweet Order special services or featured positioning at services@capitalsoup.com. Tweet
TALLAHASSEE — Considering potential costs to consumers, Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) today deferred its decision on Progress Energy Florida’s (PEF) 2012 cost recovery amounts to the November 22 Commission Conference. The delay allows time for all parties to file comments with the Commission on replacement fuel costs for PEF’s offline Crystal River 3 nuclear plant before the Conference.
TweetTALLAHASSEE — The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a Special Commission Conference on Monday, October 24, to consider a staff recommendation addressing requests for nuclear cost recovery from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and Progress Energy Florida, Inc. (PEF).
The Special Commission Conference is scheduled for the following time and location:
Monday, October 24, 2011
9:30 a.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
###
CONTACT: Cynthia L. Muir, Director; Bev DeMello; Kirsten Olsen
(850) 413-6482
TALLAHASSEE — The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at the Tuesday, October 18, Commission Conference:
ITEM 12: Docket No. 110254-WS – Initiation of show cause proceedings against Four Points Utility Corporation in Polk County for violation of Commission rules and regulations as outlined in the PSC’s management audit for Four Points Utility Corporation and Bimini Bay Utilities Corporation issued June 2011. The Commission will address what action it believes is appropriate regarding apparent violations by Four Points Utility Corporation.
ITEM 13: Docket No. 090424-WS – Application for certificates to provide water and wastewater service in Polk County by Bimini Bay Utilities Corporation. The Commission will consider a staff recommendation addressing the findings of the management audit and whether or not the company should be granted water and wastewater certificates.
The Commission Conference is scheduled for the following time and location:
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
9:30 a.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida
The Commission Conference is broadcast on the Florida Channel (check your local listings) and is available online at www.floridapsc.com (look for the “Watch Live Broadcast” icon on the left side of the Web page).
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
###
CONTACT: Cynthia L. Muir, Director; Bev DeMello; Kirsten Olsen
(850) 413-6482
TALLAHASSEE — In response to declining workload after the legislature reduced regulation of telecommunications, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today lowered the rates it charges the industry.
The PSC collects regulatory assessment fees (RAFs) to cover its costs during the ongoing transition to a competitive telecommunications market. Regulatory workload has steadily decreased because the PSC no longer oversees intrastate interexchange services, operator services, shared tenant services, and certain billing practices.
TweetTALLAHASSEE — The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today reopened the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the three-year contract to provide relay service to the nearly three million hard-of-hearing, deaf, deaf/blind, and speech impaired Floridians.
The Commission asked for a redesigned RFP to include additional objective criteria in the evaluation process, so Commissioners could select a provider that offered the most cost effective service for Florida’s citizens using the relay service. A newly proposed RFP will be reviewed at a future Commission Conference.
TweetTALLAHASSEE — The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today directed Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to revise the script used by its customer service representatives when helping new customers initiate service to clarify call transfer procedures and the handling of customer information.
FPL customer service representatives currently transfer new customers to FPL Energy Services (FPLES) to receive a confirmation number, which is actually their account number. Once transferred, new customers are then offered FPLES programs like ApplicationGuard and SurgeShield, which are not PSC regulated.
“We want to avoid any possible confusion for a customer trying to establish utility service,” PSC Chairman Art Graham said. “By instructing FPL to clarify the language used for transfer, new customers will now be aware that their customer information may be relayed to FPLES and any services offered are not regulated by the PSC.”
TweetTALLAHASSEE — The Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) annual Report on the Status of Competition in the Telecommunications Industry shows consumers have a wide range of voice communications options in many areas of Florida.
The report found that in 2010, VoIP, broadband, and wireless services continued to gain customers, while traditional wireline service declined. Nearly 17 million wireless handsets were in service in Florida as of June 2010, the most current data available. The number of handsets has increased five percent since 2008, and VoIP use has increased by about 11 percent, with about two million Florida residential VoIP subscribers as of last December. Federal Communications Commission statistics show that Florida’s broadband connections reached approximately 9.8 million as of June 2010.
TweetCelebrating the unique communications link between the deaf, hard of hearing, speech disabled, and the hearing, Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) and Florida Telecommunications Relay Inc. (FTRI) yesterday highlighted 20 years of providing “communications freedom” through the Florida Relay Service (FRS).
FTRI, a non-profit corporation formed at the PSC’s direction, administers the statewide FRS system. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, FRS facilitates telephone calls between people with hearing loss or speech disabilities and other individuals by using special equipment and a communications assistance operator to facilitate the telephone conversation.
PSC Commissioner Ronald A. Brisé, with FTRI Executive Director James Forstall, placed a phone call to a hard of hearing consumer in North Miami, who had recently acquired specialized telephone equipment through FTRI and now enjoys the freedom to initiate a telephone call at his convenience. They were joined by FTRI Board members, Harvey Spears of CenturyLink and Cecil Bradley of the Florida Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
“In a complex communications world where we compare bytes to kilobytes, to megabytes, to gigabytes, we still must be able to simply talk with one another,” Commissioner Brisé said. “The FRS has directly impacted thousands of deaf and hard of hearing Florida residents who can obtain employment, call relatives and friends, and make other calls many of us take for granted.”
TweetTALLAHASSEE — Lifeline Assistance (Lifeline), the discounted telephone service benefitting low-income consumers, has apparently benefitted some more than others. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now identifying those consumers who receive a Lifeline benefit on more than one telephone or cell phone service and will begin its Lifeline duplication resolution in Florida.
In the coming weeks, Florida consumers currently benefitting from duplicate Lifeline discounts will receive a “de-enrollment notice” from the Universal Service Administrative Company (which administers the Universal Service Fund) that explains why consumers are allowed to have only one Lifeline phone service and provides detailed instructions for choosing one Lifeline provider. Consumers will have 30 days to choose which discounted phone service to keep, or one Lifeline service will be kept by default. Choosing their company in a timely manner will help consumers avoid future unwanted charges on their phone bills.
“The Lifeline program is important because it connects Floridians who might not otherwise be able to afford phone service,” said Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Art Graham. “Individual consumers, however, are entitled to receive just one Lifeline discount. I applaud Florida’s participation in the FCC’s de-enrollment process that will help the Lifeline program be more cost-efficient and, in the long run, benefit even more eligible consumers.”
Tweet
TALLAHASSEE — Kicking off National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Art Graham today issued a friendly challenge to his fellow Commissioners to practice what they preach in a Conservation Destination Challenge.
From March 8 until the Commission Conference on April 5, Commissioners Graham, Lisa Edgar, Ronald Brisé, Eduardo Balbis, and Julie Brown will earn various points by tracking their conservation efforts on a scorecard during the Challenge. For example, they will record their energy usage, sign up for energy audits, practice energy efficiency while washing and drying clothes, and install CFL bulbs. For extra credit, they can encourage a friend to use a CFL bulb or install a low-flow showerhead. (See attachment for Commissioners’ Challenge scorecard.)
“A little friendly competition helps us be more aware of what we can do daily to practice conservation, which, in turn, saves energy and reduces our utility bills,” said Chairman Art Graham. “Everyone can change habits such as turning off lights when you leave a room or powering down your computer. New conservation practices will impact energy usage and savings for years.”
TweetTALLAHASSEE – Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) today set Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) fuel cost recovery charges for 2011. The Commission voted after considering FPL’s 2011 projected costs for fuel and purchased power, as well as actual costs for 2009 and 2010. … Continue Reading
TweetTALLAHASSEE — The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved a Settlement Agreement between Peoples Gas System (PGS) and the Office of Public Counsel (OPC) that will refund $3 million to PGS customers.
Filed with the Commission last month, the Settlement directs disbursement of company earnings above the PSC-authorized maximum 11.75 percent. In March, residential customers using 20 therms will receive a one-time $3.74 credit on their PGS bill. … Continue Reading
TweetTALLAHASSEE — The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved a conservation plan by Gulf Power Company (Gulf) that is predicted to save 183 megawatts of electricity over ten years, enough to power about 50,000 homes. … Continue Reading
TweetTALLAHASSEE - The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at the Tuesday, January 25 Commission Conference:
ITEM 3: Docket No. 090478-WS – Application for original certificates for proposed water and wastewater systems, in Hernando and Pasco Counties, and request for initial rates and charges, by Skyland Utilities, LLC. The Commission will consider a staff recommendation addressing Skyland’s voluntary withdrawal of its application to operate a water and wastewater utility in Hernando and Pasco Counties.
ITEM 4: Docket No. 100154-EG – Petition for approval of demand-side management plan of Gulf Power Company. The Commission will consider a staff recommendation addressing a revised plan requiring Gulf to implement cost-effective energy efficiency programs as required by the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA).
TweetTALLAHASSEE — So that Floridians receive safe utility services during storm season, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) storm hardening plan through 2012. Storm hardening activities are designed to strengthen critical utility infrastructure before storms, reducing restoration costs and customer outages. … Continue Reading
TweetTALLAHASSEE — By a 3 to 2 vote Tuesday, Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a stipulation between the parties regarding Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) recovery of nuclear costs. The stipulation, however, does not restrict the PSC’s responsibilities under the law to further investigate actual and proposed costs related to nuclear projects. … Continue Reading
TweetFlorida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) by a 3 to 2 vote today approved Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) Motion of Stipulation and Deferral for nuclear cost recovery. The Stipulation allows the Commission to further investigate actual and proposed costs for the company’s nuclear projects while also protecting ratepayers.
Supported by the Office of Public Counsel and Florida Industrial Power Users Group, the Stipulation permits the Commission to determine prudence and reasonableness of FPL’s nuclear costs during nuclear cost recovery hearings next year. In January, a typical 1,000 kilowatt-hour FPL customer bill will reflect a monthly increase of 33 cents for carrying charges and other nuclear expenses. Costs recovered from ratepayers will be subject to refund pending further review. … Continue Reading
TweetTallahassee – Commissioner Ronald A. Brisé will take the public oath of office Tuesday for Florida Public Service Commissioner (PSC). New PSC Commissioners Art Graham and Brisé were officially sworn in to their new positions earlier this month. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Betty Easley Conference Center, and the regularly scheduled Agenda Conference will follow.
The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the PSC at the August 17 Agenda Conference: … Continue Reading
TweetTallahassee – The Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) annual Report on the Status of Communications in the Telecommunications Industry shows many consumers cut spending in 2009 by curbing telecommunications services, although consumers in Florida continue to enjoy a wide range of choices for voice services.
The report found that in 2009 VoIP, broadband, and wireless services continued to gain customers, while traditional wireline service declined. Verizon, AT&T, and CenturyLink, the biggest wireline providers in Florida, lost approximately one million access lines in 2009. Smaller wireline providers also saw a decline in total subscribers. … Continue Reading
Tweet
TALLAHASSEE – In continuing to fight for Florida consumers during these tough economic times, Governor Charlie Crist today appointed Jacksonville City Councilman Arthur Graham of Jacksonville Beach and State Representative Ronald Brisé of North Miami to the Public Service Commission. They will succeed David E. Klement and Benjamin “Steve” Stevens, who were not confirmed by the Florida Senate. … Continue Reading
Tweet
Sachs Media Group this week released its annual Capitol Press Corps Guide, the resource to find and connect with reporters who cover Florida from the capital city. The pocket-sized 2013 guide is a listing of all major news outlets in Florida that have capital bureaus, including contact information for individual reporters who cover issues of statewide importance. The 2013 guide includes reporters’ Twitter handles, recognizing the growing importance of social media in reporting. Supplies are limited. To request a hard copy, email herbie@sachsmedia.com.
