Florida PSC News Releases

PSC Holds Down Customer Costs; Approves PEF Rate Settlement Agreement

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:12:39 +0000

To help maintain more consistent rates for Progress Energy Florida (PEF) customers in the coming years, Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved PEF’s multi-year Settlement Agreement (Agreement) with the Office of Public Counsel and other intervenors.
The Agreement provides a customer refund of a portion of Crystal River 3 Nuclear Plant (CR3) replacement fuel costs and rate certainty related to PEF’s proposed Levy County nuclear project and base rates. “This Agreement offers customers continuous, reliable electric service and rate continuity during a still tough economy,” said PSC Chairman Ronald A. Brisé. “PEF and the other parties to the Agreement also addressed the utility’s nuclear projects and strategies to keep rates down.”The PSC-approved agreement:Provides a $288 million customer refund of replacement power costs associated with the CR3 outage;Removes CR3 from base rates while PEF decides on options for the plant;Limits customer costs through 2017 for the proposed Levy County nuclear project; andProvides for a base rate increase of $150 million in January 2013. The Agreement is effective with the January 2013 billing cycle. When all Agreement provisions are calculated, a PEF residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month will see a $4.93 bill increase, from $123.19 to $128.12. The total 2013 customer bill might fluctuate somewhat when additional billing components, such as annual fuel, energy efficiency, and environmental costs, are reviewed by the PSC in November.Parties to the Agreement include the Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, the Florida Retail Federation, White Springs Agriculture Chemicals, Inc., and the Federal Executive Agencies.PEF, the state’s second largest utility, serves more than 1.6 million homes and businesses in Florida.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PEF's Settlement Agreement Hearing Set

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:49:33 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a hearing beginning on Monday, February 20, and continuing Wednesday, February 22, if needed, to consider the Progress Energy Florida (PEF) Settlement Agreement (Agreement).
The Agreement seeks to resolve many PEF issues currently before, or about to be before, the Commission. Parties to the Agreement include the Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, the Florida Retail Federation, White Springs Agriculture Chemicals, Inc., and the Federal Executive Agencies.The hearing is scheduled for the following times and location:Monday, February 20, 2012 1:00 p.m., or following a prescheduled hearing on another matter, whichever occurs latercontinuing, if needed, on Wednesday, February 22, 20129:30 a.m.Betty Easley Conference CenterJoseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)4075 Esplanade WayTallahassee, FloridaFor additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

FPL's Port Everglades Need Determination Hearing Set for Monday

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:30:21 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a need determination hearing on Monday, February 20, to consider Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) proposal to modernize its Port Everglades Plant in Broward County.
FPL proposes to build a new combined cycle natural gas unit at its existing plant site. The new unit will generate 1,277 megawatts (summer) and begin commercial operation in June 2016. FPL plans to dismantle the four existing 1960’s-era steam units at the site.The hearing provides an opportunity for the public to comment and for the utility and other interested parties to present evidence and testimony concerning the need for the proposed modernization.The hearing is scheduled for the following time and location:Monday, February 20, 20129:30 a.m.Betty Easley Conference CenterJoseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)4075 Esplanade WayTallahassee, FloridaFor additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Lowers AUF Revenue Requirement; Encourages Continued Service and System Improvements

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:58:51 +0000

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a revenue requirement of $15,871,146 for Aqua Utilities Florida, Inc. (AUF), which had requested $17,186,014, reflecting a $1.3 million decrease. The Commission also reduced the company’s return on equity by 50 basis points from a proposed 9.76 to 9.26 percent, reflecting its determination that AUF’s quality of service was “marginal.”
While noting AUF’s improved service quality since the last rate case, Commissioners said more work was needed and directed AUF to file quarterly compliance reports with the PSC on improvements to aesthetic water quality, customer notifications for boiled water requirements, compliance with environmental requirements, and certain call center statistics.“Although AUF continues to improve its systems, we listened to customers and determined the utility’s service to be marginal, while also lowering its allowed revenue,” said PSC Chairman Ronald A. Brisé. “We will continue to monitor AUF’s service and encourage further system upgrades.”The Commission approved two rate bands for AUF’s water and wastewater customers. AUF’s monthly water rates for residential customers using 7,000 gallons are: $44.37 for Rate Band 1 and $68.30 for Rate Band 2. Wastewater rates for residential customers using 6,000 gallons are: $69.97 for Rate Band 1 and $87.53 for Rate Band 2. There is a separate rate band for general service-only wastewater customers.AUF filed a proposed agency action (PAA) rate increase application with the PSC in September 2010, and the Commission acted on the petition in May 2011 granting a revenue requirement of $16,044,446. OPC and other intervenors protested the Commission’s final order, which, by Florida Statute, triggers a full rate case. Last August-October, Commissioners attended 10 customer service hearings in AUF’s service territory and heard from hundreds of customers about the Utility’s proposed rate increase and its quality of service. Commissioners included a hearing in Chuluota, though the system is not included in this petition, to hear from customers about AUF’s service improvements resulting from its Commission-directed monitoring plan.This case included approximately 17,154 water and 6,595 wastewater customers served by AUF’s 58 water and 27 wastewater systems in 17 Florida counties.Customers who have service quality or billing concerns can call the PSC’s Consumer Assistance toll free number at 800-342-3552. For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc. Water and Wastewater Rate BandsAqua Utilities Florida, Inc. - Docket No. 100330-WSTest Year Ending April 30, 2010Listing of Systems Within Recommended Rate BandsWATERCommission Approved:Rate Band 1=Prior Rate Band 1+Prior Stand Alone SystemsJasmine LakesFairwaysKings CoveOcala OaksPicciola IslandSilver Lake Estates/Western ShoresTangerineRate Band 2=Prior Rate Band 2+Prior Rate Band 3(Capped Band)Carlton Village48 EstatesFern TerraceGibsonia EstatesGrand TerraceInterlachen Lake/Park ManorLake Gibson EstatesLake Osborne EstatesPiney WoodsOrange Hill/Sugar CreekSunny HillsQuail RidgeValencia TerraceRavenswoodVenetian Village+Prior Rate Band 4+Prior Stand Alone SystemsArredondo Estates/FarmsBreeze HillBeecher's PointPeace RiverEast Lake Harris/Friendly CenterHaines CreekHarmony HomesHermits Cove/St. Johns HighlandsHobby HillsHoliday HavenImerial Mobile EstatesJungle DenKingswoodLake Josephine/Sebring LakesLake SuzyLeisure LakesMorningviewOakwoodPalm PortPalm TerracePalms MHPPomona ParkRiver GroveRosalie OaksSilver Lake OaksSkycrestStone MountainSummit ChaseThe WoodsTomokaTwin RiversVillage WaterWelakaWootensZephyr ShoresSource: Staff Recommendation, Dkt. No. 100330-WS (post-hearing), Attachment 1, pp. 238-239.WASTEWATERCommission Approved:Rate Band 1=Prior Rate Band 1Kings CoveLeisure LakesSummit ChaseValencia TerraceRate Band 2=Prior Rate Band 2+Prior Rate Band 3+Prior Stand Alone Systems(Capped Band)Arredondo FarmsBeecher's PointBreeze HillHoliday HavenJungle DenFairwaysJasmine LakesLake Gibson EstatesPeace RiverLake SuzyRosalie OaksMorningviewPalm PortPalm TerracePark ManorSilver Lake OaksSouth SeasSunny HillsThe WoodsVenetian VillageZephyr ShoresRate Band 3=Prior Rate Band 4General Service-Village WaterOnly WastewaterFL Central Commerce ParkSource: Staff Recommendation, Dkt. No. 100330-WS (post-hearing), Attachment 3, p. 242.

PSC Reduces Gulf Power Fuel Rates

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:19:36 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today voted to reduce the fuel and purchased power charge on Gulf Power Company (Gulf) customer bills. Gulf residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours will see their total monthly bill, including gross receipts taxes, decrease by $3.33 to $122.46, effective March 1.
“Reduced market prices for fuel saves customers money on their monthly energy bill that, many times, can be put toward other family necessities,” said Chairman Ronald A. Brisé. “The PSC’s authority to adjust the fuel charge protects customers from higher energy bills and allows consumers to stretch their dollars as Florida’s economy continues to improve.”Typically, the PSC reviews and determines fuel charges annually in November to reflect changing fuel costs. Gulf requested this mid-course adjustment due to a reduction in projected 2012 natural gas prices and an unexpected over-recovery for actual fuel expenses in 2011. Florida’s investor-owned utilities are not allowed to earn a profit on the cost of fuel to generate electricity.Gulf will notify its customers of the revised fuel factors through an insert in their March bill.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Selects AT&T To Provide Relay Telecom Service

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:59:13 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved a three-year contract with AT&T Corporation (AT&T) to provide telecommunications relay service to the nearly three million hard-of-hearing, deaf, deaf/blind, and speech impaired Floridians.
Of the three companies bidding, AT&T received the highest technical score and offered the lowest overall per-minute cost for service. AT&T was also the only bidder opting to locate a call center in Florida, bringing new jobs to the state, which supports the top priority set by Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature. In September 2011, Commissioners called for a redesigned request for proposal (RFP) to select a relay service provider offering the most cost effective service for Florida’s citizens. The revised RFP, issued December 9, included a clearly defined point system for proposal evaluations, and companies were required to submit their bids with charges per billable minute, assuming a three-year contract award, with the option of four one-year extensions. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Florida Relay Service (FRS) facilitates telephone calls between people with hearing loss or speech disabilities and other individuals by using special equipment and a communications assistance operator to relay information. The FRS is administered by Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc., with PSC oversight.In May 2011, the PSC issued the initial RFP for the telecommunications relay system in Florida. AT&T, Hamilton Telecommunications Company, and Sprint Communications Company, L.P. (Sprint) submitted bids, before Commissioners reopened the RFP process in September. The same three companies submitted proposals in the second bidding process. The current contract, provided by Sprint, expires on May 31, 2012.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida PSC Considers Items of Interest at Upcoming Commission Conference

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:16:21 +0000

The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at the Tuesday, February 14, Commission Conference:
ITEM 3: Docket No. 110013-TP - Request for submission of proposals for relay service, beginning in June 2012, for the deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, or speech impaired, and other implementation matters in compliance with the Florida Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991. The Commission will consider a staff recommendation on selecting a contract provider for relay service.ITEM 6: Docket No. 120001-EI - Fuel and purchased power cost recovery clause with generating performance incentive factor. The Commission will address a mid-course correction request from Gulf Power Company to reduce the fuel and purchased power charge on customer bills.ITEM 8: Docket No. 100330-WS - Application for increase in water and wastewater rates in Alachua, Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia, and Washington Counties by Aqua Utilities Florida, Inc. The Commission will address the utility’s quality of service, requested final rates, and appropriate disposition of interim rates and regulatory assets.The Commission Conference is scheduled for the following times and location:Tuesday, February 14, 20129:30 a.m.Item 8 will be heard at 1:00 p.m.Betty Easley Conference CenterJoseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)4075 Esplanade WayTallahassee, FloridaThe Commission Conference is broadcast on the Florida Channel (check your local listings) and is available online at www.floridapsc.com (look for the “Watch Live Broadcast” icon on the left side of the Web page).For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Customer Meeting Set for Utility Corporation of Florida, Inc.

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:34:20 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Utility Corporation of Florida, Inc. (Utility Corporation) to a meeting on Thursday, February 9, to discuss the utility’s application for a rate increase.
Customers can comment on Utility Corporation’s proposed rates and any quality of service issues at the meeting. This is the utility’s first rate case. Utility Corporation provides service to approximately 317 wastewater customers in Highlands County. The customer meeting time and location follow:Thursday, February 9, 20126:00 p.m.Springlake Community Center209 Springlake BoulevardSebring, FL 33876For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.