WPBN: Beginning in January, Florida Power & Light (FPL) customers will see an increase in their monthly bills to pay the costs of power restoration following this year’s string of hurricanes.
A $1.2 billion interim recovery program for the utility giant was overwhelmingly authorized by the Florida Public Service Commission. This will raise residential customers’ monthly average by roughly $12.
Consumer advocates have criticized this decision, arguing that a more equitable distribution of the costs associated with disaster recovery is necessary.
While residential consumers are facing higher costs, large commercial and industrial customers are receiving a “break,” according to Jordan Luebkemann, an attorney for Florida Rising and the League of United Latin American Citizens.
He also made the case that utilities, who release carbon emissions that intensify storms, have to foot a larger portion of the bill for recovery.
FPL defended the cost recovery strategy by claiming that it is a procedure that has been employed in the past and has received numerous commission approvals. The Miami Beach City Commission, however, voiced worries about how the proposal would affect consumers and asked authorities to look into other options that wouldn’t put citizens under further financial strain.
Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton caused substantial damage around the state, and the approved package pays for their reconstruction.
Approximately $811.1 million of the costs are attributable to Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm that hit Sarasota County in October.
The commission stated that although the hike is scheduled to go into effect in January, the charges could be refunded with interest while the actual recovery costs are further examined.
In the upcoming months, other significant Florida utilities, such as Tampa Electric Co. and Duke Energy Florida, have also stated that they plan to pursue customer reimbursement for storm-related expenses.
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