Press Mention Staff August 11, 2021
SACE Referenced
Groups Object To Florida Power & Light Deal
In this mention
Three advocacy groups objected to a proposed settlement between Florida Power & Light and various stakeholders, including the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, over a rate increase and solar energy expansion. The groups claimed residential customers were excluded from negotiations despite being the largest customer class. The settlement would increase base rates by $692 million in January 2022 and include additional increases through 2025 to fund solar projects.
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Groups Object To Florida Power & Light Deal
WJCT News |
By News Service of Florida Staff
Published August 12, 2021 at 11:26 AM EDT
A view of the FPL Solar Center in West Kendall, which is west of Miami near the Everglades.
Three groups objected Wednesday to a proposed settlement that Florida Power & Light reached with consumer and business representatives to raise base electric rates and add solar energy.
The League of United Latin American Citizens of Florida, the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida and Florida Rising, whose members include residential customers of FPL, requested an evidentiary hearing on the proposed settlement and said they were excluded from talks that led to the agreement.
"Everyone gets what they want, except the residential public --- who account for the vast majority of total customers, yet notably are the only major customer class unrepresented in the proposed settlement," the groups said in a seven-page filing.
FPL reached the four-year agreement with the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers; the Florida Retail Federation; the Florida Industrial Power Users Group; and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
The three groups that objected Wednesday, along with other groups, have taken part in the rate case, which began early this year when FPL filed an initial proposal.
The proposed settlement would lead to a $692 million increase in base rates in January and another increase of $560 million in 2023, with additional increases in 2024 and 2025 to pay for solar projects.
The deal trimmed about $428 million from FPL's original proposal. The Public Service Commission, which would need to sign off on the settlement, has been scheduled to hold a hearing next week in the rate case.