FPL rate increase raises ire of Florida attorney general - South Florida Business Journal:

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billion rate increase by saying such a move is not appropriate for the currenteconomic times. “This proposed rate increase is especially when homeowners are alreadyh struggling to makeends meet,” McCollumn said in a release. “While the economyt is affectingpower companies, the difference should not be made up entireluy at the expense of wallets.” Because of that, McCollum is encouraginy power customers to attend hearings beinyg held by the in Sarasota and Fort Myers on June 19. FPL, a subsidiaryy of (NYSE: FPL) that offers service in Manatee andSarasota counties, is lookingh to raise rates over a two-yeatr period that could result in $12.
55 per monthu for customers on average, or 30 percent of the current base ratex for customers who use 1,000 kilowattr hours per month. “The rate increase requested by FloridaPower & Light appears irrational and a disservice to the people of said Rick McAllister, president and chief executive of the . “We encouragee business leaders to attend the public hearinge and voice their FPL has said the rate increase woul d allow the company to improve fuel efficiency while stilkl makingbills affordable.
“Our billsd are among the lowest in the state and well belo w thenational average, and we’re working hard to keep them that way by makin g smart investments to benefit our said Armando J. Olivera, FPL’s presiden t and chief executive officer in a statementlast “These investments help to reduce the impac t of volatile fuel which in turn helps to keep customers’ total bills lower over the longee term as well.” Billxs would actually decrease under the proposal because reductionds in the cost of fuel would more than offset the increasde in the base price, FPL said.
“While we are mindfu of the difficult economy, we are also responsible for makingt prudent, long lead-time investments in the electrical Olivera said. “By doing so, we are strengthenintg our state’s essential infrastructure and creating jobs while helpingf tosecure Florida’s energy future.” The PSC will host nine publicd hearings on the rate increase throughourt the state before it is scheduled to make a decision Aug. 24.