News Summary
The Florida Office of Public Counsel has voiced strong opposition to Florida Power & Light’s proposed multi-billion dollar rate settlement. They argue the settlement will disproportionately impact consumers, especially residential and fixed-income customers. FPL aims for a $6.753 billion revenue increase by 2029, with small monthly increases for residential customers. Advocacy groups, including AARP Florida, echo concerns over the perceived unfairness of the deal favoring large customers. The Florida Public Service Commission is set to review the proposal, which could significantly affect consumer energy costs.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The State Office of Public Counsel has expressed strong opposition to a proposed multi-billion dollar rate settlement filed by Florida Power & Light (FPL). The Counsel deems the settlement an “unconscionable” revenue increase, which they argue will disproportionately affect consumers, particularly residential customers and those on fixed incomes.
This opposition follows FPL’s submission of the proposal to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), which is set to review it in the fall. The proposal aims to revise an initial rate increase request of approximately $10 billion, reducing it by 30% to a cumulative revenue increase of $6.753 billion through 2029.
Under the proposed settlement, the typical residential customer’s bill is slated to increase by 13 cents per day, translating to about $3.79 per month, beginning in 2026. For instance, the cost for a 1,000-kWh bill would rise from $134.14 in 2025 to $137.93 in January 2026, with projections reaching around $148 by the end of 2029. Customers in Northwest Florida are expected to see similar increases starting in 2027.
The PSC is anticipated to receive the finalized settlement proposal by August 20, with any approved rates scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. The PSC had earlier unanimously agreed to suspend technical hearings regarding FPL’s original rate request to accommodate the completion of the final agreement.
Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler has criticized the proposal, emphasizing that it enjoys support primarily from a “minority coalition of very large customers.” This assertion was echoed by various advocacy groups, including AARP Florida, which has called the agreement a “closed-door deal” that fails to address the needs of residential customers, especially seniors reliant on fixed incomes. AARP Florida has taken significant steps against the settlement, submitting nearly 34,000 petitions during the PSC’s initial review.
Environmental lawyer Bradley Marshall has also raised concerns, arguing that the settlement offers unjustified concessions to large customers, like Walmart, while shifting the burdens onto residential and small business customers. Advocates assert that the proposed settlement places unreasonable demands on consumers amidst a backdrop of rising living costs.
Despite the criticism, FPL’s representatives maintain that their proposal has garnered support from a broader coalition of customer groups. They assert that the settlement aims to balance the needs of affordability, reliability, and growth. Since the last rate adjustment in 2021, FPL has added 275,000 customers to its service, with projections indicating an additional 335,000 customers by the close of the decade.
The opposition from the State Office of Public Counsel and advocacy groups highlights a growing concern regarding the potential financial impact on consumers as the PSC prepares to evaluate the proposed rate increase. The upcoming review of the settlement will likely consider input from various stakeholders to ensure that the final decision appropriately reflects the interests of residential ratepayers and addresses the broader public concern about energy costs.
The outcome of the PSC’s deliberations will have significant implications for Florida’s energy landscape and the financial well-being of countless residents relying on electricity for their daily lives. Stakeholders now await the Commission’s decision with great anticipation.
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Additional Resources
- WTXL News
- Wikipedia: Electricity Pricing
- ABC Action News
- Google Search: Florida Power & Light rate hike
- Miami Times Online
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Utility
- Florida Phoenix
- Google News: Florida PSC FPL rate case
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
