Florida Public Utilities Announces Intent To Raise Electric Rates….Again!

FPU rates to increase another 13.8% in January.
By Sid Riley
Do you think your electric bills have risen to an unbelievable level during the past eighteen months? Then you may be surprised when you see it take another huge jump this January. Many households and local businesses are already struggling desperately with the existing high costs, and this latest increase will only worsen their dilemmas.

Mr. Buddy Shelley, General Manager of this district for FPU has announced that their company has filed a “purchased power cost adjustment” with the Florida Public Service Commission for the increase. The stated reason for the need for this increase is the fact that the company which sells produced power to FPU, Southern Company’s Gulf Power, has increased the cost it sells power to FPU, and this cost must be passed on to the consumer.

Southern Company states that it was forced to install new “scrubbers” at their production plants as part of the “green” movement, EPA emission requirements. These devices cost millions of dollars, and Southern Company is passing that cost on to the companies which purchase power from them. These companies then pass that cost on to the consumer…..so we will be paying for EPA, federally required scrubbers in our new, higher power bills. Also, FPU claims that during 2009 it actually undercharged its customers approximately $1.7 million dollars for purchased power.

FPU states that under the new, higher rates a house using 1000 KWH per month will see the monthly basic power cost go from $132 per month to $150 per month, not including the associated state and local fees and taxes. So, if you take your existing monthly bill and multiply it by 1.15% you will approximate what your bill will become when this new rate increase is imposed.

Mr. Shelley urges customers to utilize services which FPU has available to assist families in conservation practices to hold usage to a minimum. Additionally, several payment programs are available to qualified customers.