Juno Beach, FL – November 7, 2024 – Florida Power & Light (FPL) is seeking approval to add a temporary surcharge on monthly customer bills throughout 2025 to recover approximately $1.2 billion in expenses from a series of costly hurricanes over the past year. If approved by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), the increase would add around $12 per month for most residential customers, allowing FPL to recover costs from Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, and Milton.
Why the Rate Increase Matters
In the last 14 months, back-to-back hurricanes have caused extensive damage to Florida’s power grid, leading to over three million power outages and significant restoration expenses. FPL’s proposal would allocate funds to cover these restoration costs and replenish its storm reserve, which was nearly depleted after Hurricane Idalia.
“With each storm, we prioritize the fastest and safest restoration possible, which requires a large-scale mobilization of resources,” said an FPL spokesperson. “This proposed surcharge is a temporary measure that enables us to recover these costs while maintaining reliable service.”
Monthly Bill Impact for Customers
Under FPL’s proposal, the surcharge would be applied to monthly bills throughout 2025:
– Residential Customers using an average of 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month would see a surcharge of $12.02, increasing a typical bill from $121.19 to $133.99.
– Northwest Florida Residents would experience a surcharge of $8.07, raising their average bill from $135.38 to $143.45.
This temporary increase is aimed at balancing the need to recoup restoration costs with the goal of minimizing long-term rate impacts.
The Florida Public Service Commission’s Role
The PSC will evaluate FPL’s proposal to ensure that the temporary rate hike is justified and beneficial to consumers in the long run. FPL has stated that even with the surcharge, its rates would remain below the national average, underscoring that the surcharge is solely to cover exceptional storm-related expenses.
Supporting Customers Through Transparent Communication
For more information or questions regarding the proposed surcharge, FPL encourages customers to contact their service centers directly. FPL remains committed to transparency and assisting customers in understanding the rate adjustment process and how it supports continued reliability.
Contact Information:
Florida Power & Light (FPL) Customer Support
Phone: 1-800-226-3545
Website: www.fpl.com
Source: https://newsroom.fpl.com/2024-10-29-FPL-outlines-plan-to-pay-for-significant-restoration-efforts-after-four-hurricanes-slam-Florida-in-14-months
