Florida News Straight From the Source
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved cost recovery for the third phase of Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) solar plans, covering two solar projects that total 150 megawatts (MW). [Read more…] about PSC Approves Tampa Electric’s Two New Solar Projects
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) gave the okay to Tampa Electric Company (TECO) customers wanting a non-communicating meter instead of the company’s new Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) smart meter. [Read more…] about Florida PSC Gives TECO Customers Opt-Out Option on Smart Meters
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today adjusted Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) 2019 fuel and capacity cost recovery factors, which will change customer bills beginning in April. [Read more…] about Tampa Electric Company Bills Adjusted for Natural Gas Price Change
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today gave Tampa Electric Company (TECO) and Peoples Gas System (Peoples) the ability to deny service to customers threatening or intending harm to their employees. [Read more…] about PSC Gives Tampa Electric Company, Peoples Gas Tools to Enhance Worker Safety
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.
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.
Tampa Electric Company (TECO) customers won’t have to pay the utility’s requested $10 per month storm restoration surcharge. The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved TECO’s negotiated plan to apply its federal tax savings to cover its storm damage costs.
“We’re happy that customers will benefit sooner rather than later from the federal tax law changes,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham. “Addressing possible tax savings was part of our approval of TECO’s 2017 rate agreement, and today’s plan affirms that customers will immediately benefit.”
In January, TECO filed a request with the PSC to collect $102.5 million from its customers to pay for 2015-2017 named storm recovery efforts and replenish its storm reserve. A residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would have seen a $10.07 increase beginning in April and continuing for nine months.
After federal tax cuts passed in late 2017, TECO reached an agreement with customer representatives that prevents adding the storm charge to bills by applying the new tax savings earlier than required. The PSC today chose that alternative, avoiding a bill increase.
The Office of Public Counsel, which represents customers, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, Florida Retail Federation, Federal Executive Agencies, and WCF Hospital Utility Alliance support the plan.
Tampa Electric serves about 750,000 customers in West Central Florida.
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a hearing November 6, 2017, on Tampa Electric Company’s proposed Settlement Agreement. The hearing will give parties an opportunity to present testimony and conduct cross-examination on the terms of the Settlement Agreement.
The hearing is set for the following time and location:
Monday, November 6, 2017
1:00 p.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida
The hearing will be broadcast on the Florida Channel (check your local listing) and is available online HERE (look for the Watch Live Broadcast” icon on the left side of the webpage).
Late Wednesday, Tampa Electric Company filed a rate settlement agreement with the Florida Public Service Commission that’s intended to significantly increase its use of solar power and provide rate certainty to customers.
The agreement will ensure more investment in large-scale solar facilities by providing for the construction of up 600 MW of additional solar facilities over the next 4 years. Tampa Electric’s commitment to solar power, relative to is size, would place it among the leading utilities in the Southeast region on solar power.
“The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) applauds Tampa Electric’s leadership on expanding solar power in the Sunshine State,” said Dr. Stephen A. Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “We strongly feel that solar power is good for customers by diversifying the energy portfolio and for the environment by providing low-cost, zero-emissions energy for Florida’s families and businesses. We look forward to working with Tampa Electric as they offer more clean energy options and embrace new technologies that will make Tampa a more resilient community.”
“SACE is pleased to see Florida utilities responding to customer demand, market forces and the need for more corporate responsibility to proactivity address climate change with solar technology,” continued Dr. Smith. “SACE supports and advocates for all segments of the solar power market, residential, commercial, and utility scale to be fully functional and competitive in the Sunshine State.”
