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PSC Assists Leon County Seniors During Older Americans Month

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During May’s Older Americans Month, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is visiting the Lake Jackson Community Center in Tallahassee on Thursday, May 17.

PSC representatives will distribute and discuss water and energy conservation information, assist eligible seniors in applying for the Lifeline Assistance telephone/broadband discount program, and offer protection against scams targeting utility customers.

The Leon County event is scheduled for the following time and location:

Thursday, May 17, 2018
10:30 a.m.
Lake Jackson Community Center
3840 North Monroe, Suite 301
Tallahassee, Florida 

About Older Americans Month
Since 1963, communities and agencies across the state and nation have joined in the annual Older American Month commemoration. The tradition shows the state’s commitment to celebrating the contributions and achievements of older Florida residents. For more information visit hoam.acl.gov.

PSC Customer Service Hearings Set for K W Resort Utilities

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of K W Resort Utilities Corp (KWRU) to participate in customer service hearings on the utility’s petition for a rate increase. The hearings, scheduled on May 15 and May 16 in Key West, allow customers to provide public comment on KWRU’s rate request.

Customer input will be taken into consideration when the Commission considers the utility’s request. KWRU filed a petition for a rate increase with the PSC on November 21, 2017. The utility provides wastewater service to approximately 1,865 customers in Monroe County.

Customer service hearings are scheduled for the following times and locations:

Tuesday, May 15, 2018
6:00 p.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Key Resort
Tortuga Ballroom
3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd.
Key West, Florida

and

Wednesday, May 16, 2018
9:30 A.M.
DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Key Resort
Tortuga Ballroom
3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd.
Key West, Florida

PSC Paves the Way for Tampa Electric’s New Solar Projects

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved cost recovery for the first phase of Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) solar project plans.Upon completion in September 2018, TECO’s renewable generation will grow from nearly 27 megawatts (MW) to more than 150 MW.

PSC Chairman Art Graham said, “By more than tripling its solar generation, TECO will save customers $3.3 million in fuel costs through the end of this year.”

Last year, the PSC approved an agreement, which froze TECO’s base rates until January 1, 2022, but allowed the company to recover the costs of added solar generation. TECO’s first two solar projects (phase 1) are scheduled for completion in September 2018, with additional phases planned for completion in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

TECO’s phase 1 solar projects include Payne Creek, a 70.3 MW facility in Polk County and Balm, a 74.4 MW facility in Hillsborough County. The additional revenue requirement for the two projects is $24.2 million. This translates to a monthly bill increase of $1.85–from the current $106 to $107.85–beginning in September for a residential customer using 1,000 kWh.

Tampa Electric serves more than 750,000 customers in Hillsborough, Polk, Pinellas, and Pasco counties.

Florida PSC Reduces Pluris Wedgefield, Inc.’s Rate Request

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today reduced Pluris Wedgefield, Inc.’s (Pluris) requested rate increase. Customers will benefit from lower than requested rates to recover costs for four projects intended to improve water quality and customer service.

Pluris installed new water softening equipment to further improve the hard water pumped from the Floridan Aquifer. Three other improvement projects included: Advanced Metering Infrastructure installation, an emergency wastewater main replacement, and maintenance building construction.

“The PSC approved the utility’s four improvement projects, but rejected some of the rate request,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham. “We approved only those costs genuinely needed to provide better quality water and wastewater service.”

Pluris passes the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) primary and secondary water quality standards and recently completed a pilot study to address concerns about elevated Total Trihalomethanes (a disinfection byproduct) in the water. As a result of the pilot’s success, DEP issued Pluris a new permit to continue its work to improve water quality.

The Commission approved incremental revenue requirement increases of $158,403 for water and $49,057 for wastewater, as opposed to the utility’s requested increases of $194,159 for water and $57,545 for wastewater. A typical residential bill for a water customer using 3,000 gallons per month will be $53.51, and a wastewater residential bill for a customer using 3,000 gallons per month will be $43.86.

The Office of Public Counsel (OPC) contested the utility’s rate of return calculation used to establish the revenue requirement. On April 24, OPC and Pluris filed a Settlement Agreement, approved today by Commissioners, setting an 8.26 percent rate of return for this proceeding. Pluris had originally requested a 9.21 percent rate of return.

A PSC customer meeting was held November 2, 2017, in Orlando, and 55 Pluris customers attended.

Pluris provides service to approximately 1,615 water and wastewater customers in Orange County and also provides irrigation service to approximately 33 customers. Water and wastewater rates were last established for Pluris in 2013.

PSC Approves Need for Two Plants to Serve Seminole Electric Customers

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today determined there is a need for two new natural gas plants in Putnam and Pasco Counties designed to meet future power demands for electric cooperative customers throughout Florida. Together, the projects are expected to save customers $363 million.

Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Seminole) will build a new 1,122 megawatt (MW) natural gas facility in Putnam County to begin service in December 2022. Shady Hills Energy Center, LLC (Shady Hills) will build a new 573 MW natural gas facility in Pasco County to begin service in December 2021, with Seminole purchasing all of the power generated at the plant. Both facilities will be built on current sites allowing the utility to save money by using existing transmission and water resource infrastructure.

“Seminole demonstrated that additional power generation will be needed to ensure reliable service, and the plan approved today to fill that need is the most cost effective alternative for customers,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham. “We also commend Seminole’s member utilities for using renewable resources and conservation programs to benefit customers.”

The PSC held a hearing March 21-22 for Seminole’s two determination of need requests. During the hearing, Commissioners heard testimony, reviewed evidence, and questioned parties to the case about the proposed plants.

Seminole provides wholesale power to its nine member distribution electric cooperatives throughout the state, serving 1.7 million Floridians.

Florida PSC Reminds Consumers to Think about Water Use

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As Drinking Water Week kicks off, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) joins water professionals across the country to encourage consumers to conserve water both to preserve water supplies and protect water resources.

“Drinking Water Week reminds us that water is essential to life. We need to appreciate it and help conserve it,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham.  “Water is so easy to take for granted; just turn the faucet and out it pours. But, water is a finite resource, and conserving water today helps save it for the future.”

To commemorate Drinking Water Week, May 6-12, the PSC is providing consumers with easy, everyday water conservation tips with our Drop by Drop brochure.  Below are some additional summer conservation reminders from the American Water Works Association (AWWA), sponsors of Drinking Water Week:

  • Don’t over water your lawn.  Only water every three to five days in the summer and 10 to 14 days in the winter.
  • To prevent water evaporation, don’t water your lawn during the hottest part of the day, or when it is windy.
  • Use a broom to clean walkways, driveways, decks and porches, rather than hosing off these areas.
  • Apply mulch around shrubs and flower beds to reduce evaporation, promote plant growth, and control weeds.
  • Repair dripping faucets, indoor and out.
  • Collect rainfall for irrigation in a screened container.

About Drinking Water Week
For more than 35 years, AWWA and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week–a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives. Additional information about 2017 Drinking Water Week, including free materials for download and celebration ideas, is available on the Drinking Water Week website, awwa.org.

For additional information, visit floridapsc.com.

PSC Assists Palm Beach County Seniors During Older Americans Month

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During May’s Older Americans Month, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is visiting two Palm Beach County Senior Centers on Wednesday, May 9, and Thursday, May 10.

PSC representatives will distribute and discuss water and energy conservation information, assist eligible seniors in applying for the Lifeline Assistance telephone/broadband discount program and offer protection against scams targeting utility customers.

The Palm Beach County events are scheduled for the following times and locations:

Wednesday, May 9, 2018
10:30 a.m.
Boynton Beach Senior Center
1021 South Federal Highway
Boynton Beach, Florida
and
Thursday, May 10, 2018
10:30 a.m.
Mae Volen Senior Center
1515 West Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, Florida

About Older Americans Month
Since 1963, communities and agencies across the state and nation have joined in the annual Older American Month commemoration. The tradition shows the state’s commitment to celebrating the contributions and achievements of older Florida residents. For more information visit, hoam.acl.gov.

PSC Sets Hearing on TECO’s Solar Project Cost Recovery

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a hearing to consider Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) petition for cost recovery for two solar projects on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 1:30 p.m.

As part of TECO’s 2017 Settlement Agreement, the utility can seek approval to recover costs for up to 150 megawatts of new solar generation, in service by September 1, 2018, through a Solar Base Rate Adjustment. Located in Polk County, the Payne Creek project is a 70.3 MW solar facility, and the Balm project is a 74.4 MW solar facility in Hillsborough County.

During the hearing, all parties can present testimony and other evidence to support their positions.

The hearing is scheduled for the following time and location:

Tuesday, May 8, 2018
1:30 p.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida

Wednesday, May 9, 2018, is reserved for continuation of the hearing, if needed. The starting time of the next day’s session will be announced at the conclusion of the prior day. The hearing may adjourn early if all testimony is concluded.

Florida PSC Commission Conference on Tuesday

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a Commission Conference on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. Items scheduled for consideration can be found here. Public comment may be taken on any item noticed for public participation.

The Commission Conference is scheduled for the following time and location:

Tuesday, May 8, 2018
9:30 a.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida

The Commission Conference will be broadcast on the Florida Channel (check your local listing) and is available online at floridapsc.com (look for the “Watch Live Broadcast” icon on the left side of the webpage).

PSC Customer Meeting for Orange Land Utilities, LLC

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Orange Land Utilities, LLC (Orange Land) to a customer meeting on Monday, April 30, 2018, to discuss the utility’s petition for a rate change.  Customers can comment on Orange Land’s proposed rates and any quality of service issues at the meeting.

Orange Land’s last approved rate increase was in 2008. Orange Land provides water service to approximately 76 customers in Pasco County.

The meeting is scheduled for the following time and location:

Monday, April 30, 2018
6:00 P.M.
West Pasco Government Center
8731 Citizens Drive
New Port Richey, FL 34654