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Florida Public Service Commission

PSC Approves TECO Outdoor Lighting Conversion as Energy Efficiency Program

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) proposal to convert street and outdoor lighting from Metal Halide (MH) and High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamps to energy efficient Light Emitting Diodes (LED).

“Besides using less energy, LED lights provide better visibility for improved security, they are recyclable, and the energy savings reduces TECO’s winter peak demand,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham. “The program is a win-win for TECO and its customers.”

As a Demand Side Management (DSM) program, the initiative is required to reduce electricity use through energy efficiency or conservation, or provide more efficient energy load management. The PSC determined that the five-year program advances important Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act policy objectives.

Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City, and Winter Haven, Polk County, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy had asked the PSC to approve TECO’s proposal.

TECO operates approximately 242,000 street and outdoor lighting fixtures, of which 209,821 are eligible for conversion under the conservation program. Program costs–approximately $176 per fixture, or $36.9 million–will be eligible for recovery through the Energy Conservation Cost Recovery component of rates. The Commission declined TECO’s request to include advertising and notification costs.

Tampa Electric serves more than 700,000 customers in West Central Florida.

Florida PSC Approves Early Reduction of FPL Customers’ Bills

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to reduce bills for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) customers today, approving reductions to the fuel, capacity, and environmental cost recovery components of rates. The annual adjustment of those bill elements wasn’t due until next January, but the PSC can adopt “mid-course corrections” when deviation from expected costs warrants it.

FPL filed for the reductions to reflect savings expected from the early retirement of the St. Johns River Power Park generating facility, a decision approved by the PSC in October 2017.

The coal-fired St. Johns plant was retired on January 5, 2018, decreasing fuel and capacity costs. FPL’s environmental costs are reduced by $1.2 million as a result of the plant’s retirement.

FPL’s fuel cost recovery component will be reduced by $0.24 per month, and a similar reduction will be applicable to capacity cost recovery factors. The 2018 environmental cost recovery factor for the residential rate will decrease from 0.159 cents per kWh to 0.158 cents per kWh.

Effective March 1, 2018, the reduced cost recovery factors will decrease FPL’s monthly bills by $.38 (from $99.75 to $99.37) for a typical 1,000 kWh residential customer bill.

PSC Customer Meeting for FIMC Hideaway, Inc.

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of FIMC Hideaway, Inc. (FIMC) to a customer meeting on Thursday, February 1, 2018, to discuss the utility’s petition for a rate change.  Customers can comment on FIMC’s proposed rates and any quality of service issues at the meeting.
FIMC’s last approved rate increase was in 1992. FIMC provides water and wastewater service to approximately 200 customers in Levy County.
The meeting is scheduled for the following time and location:

Thursday, February 1, 2018
6:00 P.M.
Fat Goose Auction
14404 US Highway 19 North
Chiefland, FL 32626

PSC Customer Service Hearings Set for Florida City Gas

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Florida City Gas (FCG) to participate in customer service hearings on the utility’s petition for a rate increase. The hearings are scheduled on January 23 in Coral Gables and on January 24 in Port St. Lucie and Melbourne and allow customers to provide public comment on FCG’s rate request.
Customer input will be taken into consideration when the Commission considers the utility’s request. FCG filed a petition for a rate increase with the PSC on August 23, 2017. The utility provides natural gas service to approximately 108,000 retail customers across South Florida.
Service hearings are scheduled for the following times and locations:

Tuesday, January 23, 2018
6:00 p.m.
Coral Gables City Hall
405 Biltmore Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134

Wednesday, January 24, 2018
9:00 a.m.
Port St. Lucie Civic Center
92217 S.E. Civic Center Place
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

Wednesday, January 24, 2018
6:00 p.m.
Brevard County Governmental Center
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Melbourne (Viera), FL 32940

PSC Begins FPL Need Determination Hearing on Wednesday

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a hearing on Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) determination of need petition for the Dania Beach Clean Energy Center Unit 7 beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
During the hearing, the Commission will consider testimony from parties to the case about the proposed Dania Beach facility in Broward County.
The hearing is scheduled for the following time and location:

Wednesday, January 17, 2018
9:30 a.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cesse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida

In addition, Thursday, January 18, 2018, is reserved to continue the hearing, if needed. The starting time for the next day’s session will be announced at the conclusion of day one.

PSC Observes Dr. King Holiday as a National Day of Utility Service

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In recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is joining Commissions across the country to encourage a “Day of Utility Service” on Monday, January 15. The initiative is part of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ (NARUC) “Anybody Can Serve, So Let’s Conserve” campaign to highlight Dr. King’s public service legacy.
“In observing Dr. King’s birthday, consumers can honor his legacy in their communities by helping others to conserve energy and lower utility bills,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham. “We encourage Florida residents to turn down their thermostats, install LEDs, and weatherize their homes, and to inspire their neighbors to do the same, following Dr. King’s legacy of service to others.”
Efficiency, demand response, conservation, and affordability are practices that NARUC has emphasized repeatedly as it continues to advance the spirit of its 2008 resolution designating MLK Day as a Day of Utility Service.
About NARUC
NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC’s member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.

Florida PSC Commission Conference on Tuesday

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a Commission Conference on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 1:00 p.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, January 9, 2018
1:00 p.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 htpp://www.floridapsc.com/ (look for the Watch Live Broadcast” icon on the left side of the webpage).

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Named PSC Helping Hand

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is recognizing the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as December’s Helping Hand for helping raise public awareness about the Lifeline Assistance telephone and broadband discount program, energy and water conservation, and scams affecting consumers.
“The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offer state-wide educational Consumer Protection Fairs that support our outreach strategies to assist consumers,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “We appreciate DACS for including us in community events since it allows us to broaden our reach by sharing PSC information with a wider audience.”
Each month, the PSC highlights a partner agency or organization whose clients are eligible for the Federal Lifeline Program and/or need help reducing energy and water bills. Through these PSC Helping Hand partnerships, the Commission shares vital information to help consumers better manage their resources to meet their monthly bills and avoid falling for utility-related scams.
“We appreciate the PSC honoring us with this award. Those that attend our Consumer Protection Fairs really enjoy the PSC presentations and information,” said Alexander Warmka, Research and Training Specialist, with DACS’ Division of Consumer Services.  “Our community programs include elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged persons who need assistance to maintain their independence and quality of life.  PSC information supports our efforts to connect consumers to the vital community services they need.”
Look for all the PSC Helping Hand outreach partner recognitions on the PSC’s homepage, under Hot Topics.
About the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of food.  Their programs are so varied and extensive, they touch the life of just about every Floridian. For more information, call 1-800-HELP-FLA or 1-800-435-7352.

Florida PSC Requests Further Comments on Utility Hurricane Preparedness and Restoration

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TALLAHASSEE—As part of its comprehensive review of 2017 utility hurricane preparedness and restoration actions, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is now requesting comments from interested stakeholders, including local governments, businesses, advocacy groups, and other organizations.  The Commission is seeking stakeholder comments on vegetation management, undergrounding of electric facilities, and utilities’ coordination and communications during emergencies.

“We’ve been actively collecting data from Florida’s electric utilities and from more than 400 customers who’ve provided comments via the portal on the PSC’s home page,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown.  “Now we’re drilling down another level to reach more stakeholders, who can provide an even broader perspective on how utilities are handling tree trimming, facilitating electric facilities undergrounding, and interacting with local emergency operations centers.”

For more information on submitting comments or to review the questions to be answered, visit www.floridapsc.com and accessReview of Electric Utility Hurricane Preparedness and Restoration Actions Comments under Hot Topics.  Comments are due by February 20, 2018 and are limited to 25 pages, excluding attachments.  All submitted comments will be public record and posted to the PSC’s website.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida PSC Decides on FPL’s Environmental Recovery and Solar Project Costs

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today found that Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) acted prudently in complying with environmental regulatory agencies’ requirements for its Turkey Point Cooling Canal Monitoring Plan. FPL asked to recover the plan’s costs through the PSC’s Environmental Cost Recovery Clause (ECRC).
The Commission found that while under the oversight of three different government agencies, and their respective monitoring requirements, none of the agencies found that FPL withheld or submitted false data. After a thorough review of the record, the PSC concluded that FPL was prudent in its actions and expenditures for the historic operation of Turkey Point’s Cooling Canal Monitoring Plan. As required for ECRC recovery, FPL’s monitoring plan is prudent and part of a government mandated regulation and, therefore, the plan’s costs are appropriate for recovery.
While finding that FPL acted prudently, the PSC disallowed recovery of the utility’s $1.5 million escrow payment required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. FPL did not meet its burden of proof that the funds would be used to benefit FPL’s ratepayers. FPL’s 2017 and 2018 monitoring project costs and escrow payment removal are subject to true-up in future ECRC proceedings.
The PSC held an evidentiary hearing on October 25-27, 2017, which included parties from FPL, the Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Solar Projects
Today, the PSC also approved FPL’s petition to recover its solar project costs through an increase in base rates, under the terms of its 2016 settlement.  The PSC determined that FPL’s 2017 and 2018 solar projects are cost effective and are projected to save customers $96 million.
In its petition, FPL is proposing to build eight solar facilities to be located in Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto Counties. The projected in-service date for the 2017 solar projects is December 31, 2017, and the projected in-service date for the 2018 projects is March 1, 2018.