The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a Commission Conference on Tuesday, October 30, 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. [Read more…] about Florida PSC Commission Conference/Gulf Power Tax Act Hearing Set for Tuesday
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Cortes Condemns Public Service Commission's Decision to Double Rates
Cortes says the request puts an undue burden on West Seminole residents
State Representative Bob Cortes today made the following statement regarding the Public Service Commission’s unanimous approval of Utilities Inc.’s request to nearly double water and wastewater rates for Seminole County residents:
“This decision, which doubles rates for West Seminole residents, demonstrates that the Public Service Commission is not standing on the side of consumers. Without a compelling case from Utilities Inc. and despite a public hearing where citizens expressed their concerns, the PSC moved ahead with a decision that would clearly impose an unfair burden, especially for seniors on fixed incomes. In the Legislature, we have repeatedly worked to do just the opposite, as we have passed numerous measures to reduce taxes and fees, including the property tax exemption passed just this year. Floridians should expect better from public servants like the Public Service Commissioners, and I hope they will do better going forward.”
PSC Helps Consumers in Hallandale Beach 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 Thursday, March 9, 2017, as part of NCPW, PSC staff will be speaking with customers in Hallandale Beach 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:
Thursday, March 9, 2017
10 – 11 a.m.
Austin Hepburn Senior Center
1000 NW 8th Avenue
Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
PSC Approves Settlement Agreement for Peoples Gas System
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved a Settlement Agreement offered by Peoples Gas System (Peoples Gas or Company) and the Office of Public Counsel (OPC), who represents Peoples Gas customers, that keeps base rates in place through 2020.
“The Settlement Agreement protects customers from any base rate increase through 2020,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “It also provides an opportunity for Peoples Gas to manage some critical projects, such as the environmental cleanup of its manufactured gas plants and replacement of plastic pipes.”
The Settlement Agreement stemmed from Peoples Gas’ original petition for approval of its 2016 Depreciation Study. OPC filed its response, proposing further adjustments to Peoples Gas depreciation rates. On December 15, 2016, Peoples Gas and OPC filed a Settlement Agreement outlining how their proposed adjustment of depreciation rates and modification to the Company’s return on equity would occur. With the PSC’s approval, the agreement allows for the following terms:
- Peoples Gas will not file a request for a general base rate proceeding before December 31, 2020, unless its earnings fall below 9.25 percent.
- Establishes new depreciation rates and certain depreciation reserve transfers that are expected to result in a reduction in 2016 depreciation expense of $16.1 million.
- Accelerates recovery of environmental cleanup and monitoring costs associated with former manufactured gas plants–old industrial facilities at which gas was produced from coal, oil, and other feedstocks.
- Expands Peoples Gas’ current accelerated cast iron and bare steel pipe replacement program to include “problematic plastic pipe” replacements, which includes certain types of plastic pipe that was manufactured before 1983 and which have been found to become brittle under certain conditions.
Peoples Gas, Florida’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serves about 370,000 customers in Florida.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
PSC Approves FPL’s Interim Storm Recovery Charge for Hurricane Matthew
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) request to replenish its storm reserve fund following Hurricane Matthew. While the majority of the state was spared Matthew’s worst as the storm traveled up Florida’s east coast in October 2016, FPL’s service territory suffered substantial damage.
FPL’s petition filed on December 29, 2016, is based on its 2012 Revised Stipulation and Settlement Agreement, which allows FPL to collect hurricane-related costs and maintain a storm reserve fund. This form of cost recovery is supported by the Office of Public Counsel, which represents all FPL customers. A hearing will be set in the future to consider whether the costs are reasonable and prudent.
Today’s approved interim monthly charge for FPL residential customers is $3.36 per 1,000-kilowatt hours for 12 months, beginning March 2017 and continuing through February 2018. FPL will recover approximately $318.5 million to cover costs associated with Hurricane Matthew and to replenish its storm reserve.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
Florida PSC Commission Conference on Tuesday
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a Commission Conference on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, following a scheduled Peoples Gas System hearing that begins at 11 a.m. Commission Conference 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, February 7, 2017
Following the Peoples Gas System Hearing that begins at 11 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 listings) and is available online at 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.
PSC Customer Service Hearings for Altamonte Springs and Lakeland
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Utilities Inc. of Florida (Utilities, Inc.) to participate in customer service hearings in Altamonte Springs and Lakeland 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:
Thursday, February 2, 2017
9:30 a.m.
Eastmonte Civic Center
830 Magnolia Drive
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
6:00 p.m.
Cypress Lakes Clubhouse
10000 US Hwy 98 N
Lakeland, FL 32820
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 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.
PSC Customer Meeting for Charlie Creek Utilities, LLC.
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Charlie Creek Utilities, LLC. (Charlie Creek) to a customer meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2017, to discuss the utility’s petition for a rate change. Customers can comment on Charlie Creek’s proposed rates and any quality of service issues at the meeting.
This is the first PSC rate case for Charlie Creek, which provides water service to approximately 150 residential customers in Hardee County.
The meeting is scheduled for the following time and location:
Thursday, January 19, 2017
6:00 p.m.
Historic City Hall
225 East Main Street
Wauchula, FL 33873
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
PSC Report Shows Lifeline Assistance Program Continues to Benefit Florida Consumers
Approximately one out of every eleven Florida households–or 852,255 eligible telecommunications customers–participate in the federal Lifeline Assistance (Lifeline) discount telephone program, according to the Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) annual Lifeline report released today.
“Lifeline provides the assistance many Floridians need to afford phone service to connect with family, friends, doctors, and employers,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “With the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new Lifeline rules, effective earlier this month, consumers can now apply their monthly Lifeline benefit toward broadband service, connecting them to voice and broadband services.”
In Florida, 19 telecommunication companies participate in the federal Lifeline program. Consumers who receive certain public assistance programs qualify for a minimum discount credit of $9.25 per month, or a free Lifeline cell phone with monthly minutes from certain wireless providers.
As in past years, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest qualifying program for Lifeline Assistance in Florida. Based upon June 2016 SNAP participants, eligible households in need of Lifeline decreased by 14.8 percent compared to last year’s data.
Eligibility requirements and application access are highlighted at monthly PSC outreach events to increase Lifeline program awareness. The new FCC broadband rules and its existing rules limit benefits to one Lifeline discount per eligible household and require annual recertification. The PSC encourages Lifeline customers seeking broadband discounts to contact their carrier for availability.
Applying for Lifeline is easy — Florida residents can call their local phone company, the PSC at 1-800-342-3552, or the Office of Public Counsel (OPC) at 1-800-540-7039 for assistance. Information is also available on the PSC’s website: www.floridapsc.com, OPC’s website: http://www.floridaopc.gov/Pages/Lifeline.aspx and the FCC’s website: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/lifeline-support-affordable-communications.
For more information, visit www.FloridaPSC.com.
Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.
