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PSC Assists Hillsborough County Seniors During Older Americans Month

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During May’s Older Americans Month, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is partnering with two Hillsborough County Senior Centers for events on Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
PSC representatives will distribute and discuss water and energy conservation information, assist eligible seniors in applying for the Lifeline Assistance discounted telephone service program, and educate against falling for utility-related scams.
The Hillsborough County events are scheduled for the following times and locations:

Tuesday, May 16, 2017
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Town N’ Country Senior Center
7606 Paula Drive
Tampa, Florida

1:00 p.m.
Oaks at Riverview Senior Center
101 E. Kirby Street
Tampa, Florida

About Older Americans Month
Since 1963, communities and agencies across the state and nation have joined in the annual Older Americans Month commemoration. The tradition shows the state’s commitment to celebrating the contributions and achievements of older Florida residents. For more information visit, https://oam.acl.gov/.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Assists Hillsborough County Seniors During Older Americans Month

Posted on

During May’s Older Americans Month, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is partnering with two Hillsborough County Senior Centers for events on Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
PSC representatives will distribute and discuss water and energy conservation information, assist eligible seniors in applying for the Lifeline Assistance discounted telephone service program, and educate against falling for utility-related scams.
The Hillsborough County events are scheduled for the following times and locations:

Tuesday, May 16, 2017
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Town N’ Country Senior Center
601 E. Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, Florida

1:00 p.m.
Oaks at Riverview Senior Center
101 E. Kirby Street
Tampa, Florida

About Older Americans Month
Since 1963, communities and agencies across the state and nation have joined in the annual Older Americans Month commemoration. The tradition shows the state’s commitment to celebrating the contributions and achievements of older Florida residents. For more information visit, https://oam.acl.gov/.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

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 remind consumers to get serious about this year’s theme, “Your Water—To Know It Is To Love it.”
To commemorate Drinking Water Week, May 7-13, 2017, the PSC is providing consumers with easy, everyday water conservation tips with our Drop by Drop brochure.  Below are some summer conservation reminders from the American Water Works Association (AWWA), who sponsors 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.
  • Only run the dishwasher and clothes washer when they are fully loaded.
  • Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator or in the microwave instead of running water over it.
  • When washing dishes by hand, use two basins–one for washing and one for rinsing– rather than let the water run.
  • Use a broom, rather than a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
  • If you have a swimming pool, get a cover. You’ll cut water evaporation by 90 percent.
  • Repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets. Dripping faucets can waste about 2,000 gallons of water each year. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day.

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 web page, http://www.awwa.org/.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida PSC Approves TECO’s EV Education Plan for Drivers-Ed

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) new energy education program, giving high school students a unique hands-on opportunity to use Electric Vehicles (EVs) while learning how to drive.
TECO will partner with the driver’s education programs in five area high schools to teach high school students about energy efficiency and the operation, maintenance, and ownership considerations of EVs. Beginning in the 2017 fall semester, TECO will start the program in one school and expand it to a maximum of five schools through 2020.
“EVs will continue to be a driver in innovation,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “Introducing EV use through driver’s education programs in schools is a great way to teach future ratepayers the importance of EV ownership while learning the basic rules of the road.”
According to TECO’s petition, students will have the opportunity to learn:

  • Proper driving skills needed to maximize energy efficient driving with EVs,
  • Types, characteristics, and operations of different EV charging technologies,
  • How electric rates are set and when EV charging is the least expensive,
  • Future considerations of EV ownership.

Part of TECO’s curriculum will include surveys of both teachers and students to make program improvements as needed. The utility expects 350 program participants the first year, with total student driver participation expected to reach 5,600 over the program’s three years.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida PSC Approves RFP for Florida Relay Service

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide a telecommunications relay service system in Florida. The RFP will be issued no later than May 11, 2017, and bidders are invited to submit proposals to the PSC through June 16, 2017. Florida’s Relay Service provides access to basic telecommunications services for more than 2.5 million Floridians who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf/blind, or speech-impaired.
“FRS provides the vital communication link to keep those who need to use specialized telephones connected to their family and community,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “We look forward to reviewing the RFPs and selecting the best provider to continue offering this essential service.”
Sprint, the current FRS provider, notified the PSC in February that it would not exercise its options to extend the existing contract, which expires February 28, 2018. To ensure a seamless transition, the PSC is expected to select a provider in September 2017, with new service beginning on March 1, 2018.
Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI), a non-profit corporation, administers the statewide FRS system with PSC oversight. FRS is available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year to facilitates telephone calls between people with hearing loss or speech disabilities and other individuals by using special equipment and a communications assistance operator to relay information. A monthly surcharge of $.11 per landline funds the distribution of specialized telecommunications devices and interstate relay service. For information on how to obtain the special equipment, call FTRI at 1-800-222-3448 (Voice) or 1-888-447-5620 (Text Telephone/TTY) or visit http://www.ftri.org.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida PSC Approves Final Rates for Gulf Power Company

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved Gulf Power Company’s (Gulf) rates from the Commission’s previously approved settlement agreement.  Customers will be noticed about their final rates, effective July 1, 2017.
The impact of the settlement agreement on a 1,000 kilowatt-hour monthly residential bill is a $6.20 difference, with the bill increasing from $131.43 to $137.63.  The bill impact on commercial and industrial customers will vary depending on usage; however, on average, commercial/industrial bills will increase by about three to six percent.
On April 4, 2017, the PSC approved a settlement agreement on the utility’s rate petition. The agreement was signed by Gulf; the Office of Public Counsel, who represents all ratepayers; the Florida Industrial Power Users Group; and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. No other party to the case objected.
Gulf originally requested additional revenues of $106 million and a return on equity of 11 percent. The agreement provides Gulf with recovery of an additional $62 million in revenues and maintains its return on equity at the current 10.25 percent.
Gulf filed its petition for a base rate increase with the PSC on October 12, 2016. The PSC held customer service hearings on January 26, 2017 in Pensacola and on January 27, 2017 in Panama City. Gulf currently provides electric service to more than 450,000 retail customers in eight Florida counties.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC to Consider Gulf Rates from Approved Settlement Agreement

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Commission Conference to be Held on Thursday

On Thursday, May 4, 2017, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a Special Commission Conference to consider Gulf Power Company’s (Gulf) rates, concluding all issues in the Settlement Agreement approved on April 4, 2017.
Following the Special Commission Conference, the PSC will hold its monthly Commission Conference. Items scheduled for consideration can be found here. Public comment may be taken on any item noticed for public participation.
The Special Commission Conference is scheduled for the following time and location:

Thursday, May 4, 2017
9:00 a.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida

The PSC’s monthly Commission Conference will begin following the Gulf decision.
Both Commission Conferences will be broadcast on the Florida Channel (check your local listing) and is available online www.floridapsc.com (look for the “Watch Live Broadcast” icon on the left side of the webpage).
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida Utilities Present Hurricane Preparedness, Storm Customer Communication Plans to PSC

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Florida’s electric utilities and emergency management updated the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today on their storm preparation efforts, saying they are ready for the 2017 Hurricane Season that begins June 1.
The CEOs of Florida’s five investor-owned utilities, along with executives from the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association, the Florida Municipal Electric Association, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management also discussed how customer needs are met during and after storm-related events, including restoration and communication efforts.
“Ongoing hurricane preparedness initiatives have improved Florida utilities’ overall storm hardening efforts and response and restoration times, as we saw during last year’s storm season,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “Today’s Annual Hurricane Preparedness Briefing confirms that our utilities use the latest technology and lessons learned to better prepare for any upcoming weather event that threatens Florida.”
Beginning in 2006, the PSC required the state’s investor-owned utilities to implement an aggressive vegetation management cycle for all major distribution circuits, incorporate a transmission inspection program, and an eight-year inspection cycle for all wooden poles. Some utilities have replaced wooden poles with concrete poles that can withstand 140-mile-per-hour winds.
Today’s presentations demonstrated how customer communications and thoughtful preparation can improve outage restoration times. The following executives shared their hurricane preparedness plans:

  • Eric Silagy, CEO, Florida Power & Light Company
  • Harry Sideris, State President, Duke Energy Florida, LLC
  • Gordon Gillette, CEO, Tampa Electric Company
  • Stan Connally, CEO, Gulf Power Company
  • Jeff Householder, President, Florida Public Utilities Company
  • Bill Willingham, General Manager, Florida Electric Cooperatives Association
  • Amy Zubaly, Interim Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association

Florida PSC to Receive Hurricane Preparedness Briefing

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Florida PSC to Receive Hurricane Preparedness Briefing
from Electric Utilities and Emergency Management

Florida’s electric utilities and emergency management will update the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) on their storm preparation efforts on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
During the PSC’s Annual Hurricane Preparedness Briefing, the CEOs of Florida’s five investor-owned utilities and executives from the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association, the Florida Municipal Electric Association, and the Florida Department of Emergency Management will also discuss how customer needs are met during and after storm-related events, including restoration and communication efforts.
“With hurricane season beginning on June 1, our top priority is that the state’s IOUs are adequately prepared,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “Demonstrating storm preparation begins at the top, and Commissioners want to hear about utilities’ hurricane preparedness plans for 2017, as well as any lessons learned from this past hurricane season.”
The briefing is scheduled for the following time and location:

Thursday, April 20, 2017
1:30 p.m.
Gerald L. Gunter Building, Room 105
2540 Shumard Oak Blvd.
Tallahassee, Florida

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
 
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Customer Meeting for LP Waterworks, Inc.

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of LP Waterworks, Inc. (LPWW) to a customer meeting on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, to discuss the utility’s petition for a rate change.  Customers can comment on LPWW’s proposed rates and any quality of service issues at the meeting.
The last PSC staff-assisted rate case for this system occurred in 2015. LPWW provides water service to approximately 465 customers and wastewater service to approximately 400 customers in Highlands County.
The meeting is scheduled for the following time and location:

Tuesday, April 18, 2017
6:00 p.m.
Lake View Clubhouse
Camp Florida Resort
231 Shoreline Drive
Lake Placid, FL 33852

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.