Public Service Commission’s Draft Rule Would Lock-In Unnecessarily Higher Bills for Florida Customers
Statement from: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Catalyst Miami, CLEO, Earthjustice, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Southface Institute, and Vote Solar.
Tallahassee, Florida — Yesterday, after two years of rulemaking, the Florida Public Service Commission – the agency that regulates large power companies – filed its draft rule for setting energy efficiency goals for the state’s largest utilities. It makes virtually no substantive change to its current 30-year-old rule. The groups listed above brought significant information on how to best revise Florida’s unique and outdated practices with modern standard industry practice, which included moving away from antiquated cost-effectiveness screens, and a greater focus on energy-burdened customers. The draft rule doesn’t adopt any of it and will ensure that Florida continues to have some of the highest electricity bills in the nation and – at a time of rising energy costs – will cement Florida’s ranking as one of the worst states in helping customers to reduce energy use and lower power bills.
In response, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Catalyst Miami, CLEO, Earthjustice, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Southface Institute, and Vote Solar provided the following statement:
“The Florida Public Service Commission is missing a unique opportunity to chart a lower-cost future for Floridians. The Commission’s disappointing business-as-usual approach allows power companies to ignore lowest-cost resources like energy efficiency to meet demand. It does little to nothing to help hard-working families, and perpetuates Florida’s history of unaffordable and escalating power bills.”
The Commission will hold an in-person workshop on September 27, 2022, to get input from stakeholders and customers on its revised draft rule.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit research organization, develops policies to reduce energy waste and combat climate change. Its independent analysis advances investments, programs, and behaviors that use energy more effectively and help build an equitable clean energy future. Learn more at aceee.org.
About Catalyst Miami
Founded in 1996, Catalyst Miami’s mission is to identify and collectively solve issues adversely affecting low-wealth communities throughout Miami-Dade County. We help Miami residents thrive through free services and policy and advocacy programs that effect change. learn more at catalystmiami.org.
About CLEO
The CLEO Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization exclusively dedicated to climate crisis education and advocacy. Founded in 2010, we work with communities across Florida to build climate literacy and mobilize climate action for a just, resilient future. Learn more at cleoinstitute.org.
About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is a nonprofit public interest organization based in the United States dedicated to litigating environmental issues. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. Learn more about earthjustice.org.
About the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Since 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy has worked to promote responsible and equitable energy choices to ensure clean, safe and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at cleanenergy.org.
About Southface Institute
For more than 40 years, Southface Institute, a nonprofit 501(C)3 organization, has been a leader in the research, design and implementation of a regenerative economy, one that gives back more than it uses. We are a nonprofit on a mission to promote sustainable homes, workplaces, and communities through education, research, advocacy, and technical assistance. Learn more at southface.org
About Vote Solar
Vote Solar is a non-profit policy advocacy organization with the mission of making solar more accessible and affordable across the United States. Learn more at votesolar.org.