TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - Florida Power and Light have proposed a $1.3 million base rate increase in a meeting Monday.
The proposal, if approved, would increase the monthly base rate for a typical customer using about 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity from $57 to $70 by 2020. The utility company told regulators that the hike is "driven by investment and infrastructure" rather than profit as critics have claimed.
J.R. Kelly, public counsel for the State of Florida, said, "We don't question Florida Power and Light's quality of service. However, we just don't think they need all of this money. We feel the evidence is going to show that it's just a big ask and it's a want, not a need."
FPL said they plan to use the money to pay for upgrades to its electricity service, reduce emissions, and strengthen the system so it can better handle severe weather and customer increases.
A decision from the commission is expected in the fall.
