During National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) earlier this month, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) partnered with several agencies in Central and South Florida that primarily assist seniors. The PSC is pleased to recognize one of these–the Fred Lippman Multi-Purpose Center in Hollywood–as the PSC’s Helping Hand in March.
“With so many scams targeting seniors, NCPW is an opportunity to educate consumers on ways to protect against individuals posing as utility representatives,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “We thank the Fred Lippman Center for helping us get the word out on potential scams and on ways to help seniors lower their utility bills.”
Each month, the PSC highlights a partner agency or organization whose clients are eligible for the federal Lifeline telephone discount program and/or need help reducing energy and water bills. Through these PSC Helping Hand partnerships, the Commission shares information to help consumers stretch their resources to meet their monthly bills.
“We welcome the PSC’s partnership and appreciate the assistance and education to help our clients, especially during NCPW,” said Marjorie Cooper, Manager, Fred Lipmann Multi-Purpose Center. “Information on Lifeline, scams, energy and water conservation, and utility bill payment assistance is always useful.”
You can find helpful consumer tips from PSC Commissioners for NCPW 2017 here. Look for this year’s PSC Helping Hand outreach partner recognitions on the PSC’s homepage, www.floridapsc.com, under Hot Topics.
About Fred Lipmann Multi-Purpose Center
The Fred Lippman Multi-Purpose Center, administered by the City of Hollywood’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, is located at 2030 Polk Street in Hollywood. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, the facility provides social, recreational, and educational activities, including field trips, for seniors. For more information, call 954-921-3408, or visit: http://www.adrcbroward.org/lippmancenter.php.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
PSC
PSC Helps Consumers in Miramar and Hollywood During National Consumer Protection Week
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will be educating consumers about scams targeting utility customers during the 19th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), which takes place March 5–11, 2017.
On Wednesday, March 8, 2017, as part of NCPW, PSC staff will be speaking with customers in Miramar and Hollywood about how to avoid these scams while also providing tips on energy and water conservation and information about the Lifeline Assistance telephone discount program.
For more information about NCPW and to see a nationwide calendar of events, please visit www.ncpw.gov. For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
The PSC events are scheduled below:
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
8:30 a.m.
Fred Lippman Multi-Purpose Center
2030 Polk Street
Hollywood, Florida 33020
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
10 – 11 a.m.
Miramar Senior Center
6700 Miramar Parkway
Miramar, Florida 33023
And
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
12 – 1 p.m.
Sunset Lakes Senior Center
2801 SW 186th Avenue
Miramar, Florida 33029
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
PSC Helps Consumers in Winter Park and Orlando During National Consumer Protection Week
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will be educating consumers about scams targeting utility customers during the 19th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), which takes place March 5–11, 2017.
On Wednesday, March 8, 2017, as part of NCPW, PSC staff will be speaking with customers in Winter Park and Orlando about how to avoid these scams while also providing tips on energy and water conservation and information about the Lifeline Assistance telephone discount program.
For more information about NCPW and to see a nationwide calendar of events, please visit www.ncpw.gov. For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
The PSC events are scheduled below:
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
10 – 11 a.m.
Winter Park Community Center
721 W. New England Avenue
Winter Park, Florida 32789
And
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
12 – 1 p.m.
Renaissance Senior Center at South Econlockhatchee Trail
3800 S. Econlockhatchee Trail
Orlando, Florida 32829
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
PSC to hear proposed settlement agreement for Peoples Gas
Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a hearing on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 to consider a settlement agreement between Peoples Gas System (Peoples Gas) and the Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers. The settlement agreement concerns Peoples Gas’ 2016 depreciation study, environmental reserve account, plastic pipe replacement, and authorized return on equity.
The hearing is set for the following time and location:
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
11:00 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.
PSC Customer Service Hearing for Pensacola
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Gulf Power Company (Gulf) to participate in a customer service hearing in Pensacola on the utility’s petition for an electric service base rate increase. The hearing will allow customers to provide public comment on Gulf’s rate request. Customer input will be taken into consideration when the Commission considers this request.
The service hearing is scheduled for the following time and location:
Thursday, January 26, 2017
6:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Pensacola State College
Hagler Auditorium
1000 College Boulevard
Pensacola, FL 32504
In October 2016, Gulf filed a petition with the PSC to increase its electric service rates. Gulf provides service to 450,000 retail customers spanning Northwest Florida.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
Light of the World Ministries Named a PSC Helping Hand
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is recognizing Light of the World Ministries in Duval County as its first Helping Hand of the new year. The organization assisted the PSC in raising public awareness about the Lifeline Assistance communications discount program, energy and water conservation, and scams affecting low-income consumers during a community event in Jacksonville.
“We reach out to the homeless, poor, and needy in the Jacksonville area,” said Shelly Divido. “Our involvement with the PSC and the Feeding Northeast Florida helps us to reach consumers needing food and to be able to connect with their loved ones.”
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.
Look for all the PSC Helping Hand outreach partner recognitions on the PSC’s homepage, www.floridapsc.com, under Hot Topics.
About Light of the World Ministries
Light of the World distributes donations of clothes, food, household items, hygiene items, and Bibles on a weekly basis to those in need who live in the Jacksonville Beaches and Arlington areas. For more information, visit www.lightoftheworldjax.org, or call 904-524-6670.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
Pensacola Hair Salon Receives PSC’s Triple E Award
As one of Pensacola’s largest full-service salons, 10th Avenue Hair Designs is accustomed to making its residents feel beautiful. This family and community minded salon, however, recently turned its attention to making itself more beautifully energy efficient, thereby earning the Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Triple E Award—for Energy Efficiency Efforts for the month of January.
“Due to equipment use, such as washing machines, blow dryers, pedicure chairs, and other equipment, salons and spas can consume a lot of energy on a daily basis,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “The PSC is pleased that 10th Avenue Hair Designs has worked on improving its energy use, which not only saves the salon energy but hopefully saves its customers money too.”
“Salons are one of the most energy intensive small businesses, and this energy consumption also brings a financial burden with it,” said Dale Moore, salon owner. “While we can’t completely, eliminate energy and water consumption in our operations, we can reduce our consumption, which is what we’ve done to become a more eco-friendly salon.”
With the help of Gulf Power, 10th Avenue Hair Designs had two Integrated Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) installed replacing two existing gas water heaters in the attic. HPWHs use the ambient surrounding air to collect and gather heat and transfer it to heat water. Since HPWHs cannot operate in the conventional attic because of the extreme temperatures, the hair salon also decided to foam seal the attic, making the upgrade ideal. The new heat pump water heaters are 3.4 times more efficient compared to any conventional gas or electric heater.
“We worked with 10th Avenue Hair Designs—with more than 30 years serving the Gulf Coast—to improve energy efficiency and cut costs,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and Gulf Power continues to offer Energy Checkups to help local businesses learn about energy efficiency and cut costs.”
Covering the state’s five major geographic areas, each month the PSC presents its Triple E Award to a local business that has accomplished superior energy efficiency. Look for past PSC Triple E Award recipients under Hot Topics on the PSC’s homepage, www.floridapsc.com. The PSC encourages cost-effective conservation and renewable energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels and defer the need for new generating capacity through the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.
About 10th Avenue Hair Designs
Dale and Sheila Moore, owners of 10th Avenue Hair Designs are committed to making sure your visit is perfect. They’re constantly striving to provide the best products and services to the Pensacola area. For more information, visit the website: http://10thavenuehair.com/, or call 850-433-5207.
For more information about Gulf Power’s Energy Checkup and other energy efficient programs, visit MyGulfPower.com or call 1-877-655-4001.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
PSC Customer Service Hearings for New Port Richey and Zephyrhills
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Utilities Inc. of Florida (Utilities, Inc.) to participate in customer service hearings in New Port Richey and Zephyrhills on the utility’s petition for a water and wastewater rate increase. The hearings will allow customers to provide public comment on Utilities Inc.’s rate request. Customer input will be taken into consideration when the Commission considers this request.
The service hearings are scheduled for the following times and locations:
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
9:30 a.m.
Summertree Recreation Facility
12005 Paradise Point Way
New Port Richey, FL 34654
6:00 p.m.
Alice Hall Community Center
38116 5th Avenue
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
In August 2016, Utilities Inc. filed a petition with the PSC to increase its water and wastewater rates. Utilities Inc. provides service to 27 systems in Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Seminole Counties.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
PSC Commissioner Brisé Named to FCC’s IAC Committee
Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Ronald A. Brisé has been reappointed to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) for 2017-2019. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler appointed Commissioner Brisé, who will serve another term as the public utility commission member on the Committee. He was nominated for the position by National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) President Robert Powelson.
“I’m honored to have been nominated by President Powelson and appointed by Chairman Wheeler,” Commissioner Brisé said, “and I look forward to continuing our Committee’s work with the FCC on facilitating programs that best serve the public interest in today’s communications sector.”
The 2017-2019 IAC will focus on the role of state, local and Tribal governments in facilitating broadband deployment and adoption, initiatives related to wireless infrastructure deployment, Universal Service programs, consumer complaints processes, and public safety issues.
Commissioner Brisé was first nominated to the FCC’s IAC in May 2011 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Advisory Committee. He is a member of NARUC and has served as NARUC’s representative to the Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service and the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company. He also serves as Chair of an internal NARUC Presidential Task Force on federal communications policy.
For more information, click here.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
