Florida PSC News Releases

Florida Public Service Commission Approves Budget for Florida Relay Service

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved the 2008-2009 budget for the Florida Relay Service (FRS), keeping the rate at last year’s level. The FRS provides critical access to basic telecommunications services for Florida’s deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, and speech impaired citizens by using special telephone equipment and a communications assistance operator to relay information.“The Florida Relay Service gives the gift of telecommunication to those who could not otherwise use the telephone,” said PSC Chairman Matthew M. Carter. “Through the program, Florida’s nearly three million impaired residents are connected to vital emergency and community services, offering peace of mind to their families.” Florida telephone customers finance the program through an 11-cent charge on their bill, which the Commission voted to keep at the same level for fiscal year 2008-2009. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, FRS facilitates telephone calls between people with hearing and speech disabilities and other individuals. The impaired person uses a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf which includes a keyboard and screen to contact a communications assistant, who then voices the message to the receiving party. The reverse process completes messages to the hearing impaired person. An FRS call may be initiated by a person with or without a hearing or speech disability.For information on how to obtain the special equipment, call FTRI at 1-800-222-3448 (Voice) or 1-888-447-5620 (Text Telephone/TTY) or visit http://www.ftri.org.The PSC is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Florida Public Service Commission Encourages Water Conservation, Drop By Drop

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

“Let’s conserve water drop by drop and save money on our water bills while we’re doing it,” urged Matthew Carter II, Chairman of the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), in celebration of this year’s National Drinking Water Week, May 4-10.
To observe National Drinking Water Week, Chairman Carter also unveiled the PSC’s new brochure, Drop by Drop, which highlights the value of water and how consumers can save money by conserving water. “We hear the word, conservation, especially in events such as National Drinking Water Week, but do we truly recognize its importance? We should continue to think about our precious water supply throughout the year and learn what we can do daily to help protect it,” Chairman Carter said.The brochure is available on the PSC’s Website http://www.psc.state.fl.us/publications/consumer/brochure/WaterHouse.pdf. Brochure tips include: Florida water facts, how to read your water meter, and ways to conserve water inside and outside the home, such as using the dishwasher with full loads only and using a timed outdoor sprinkler.For more than 30 years, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) has celebrated National Drinking Water Week—an opportunity for both water professionals and the consumers they serve to join together to recognize the importance of water. See AWWA’s Web site www.awwa.org/advocacy/dww for more information about National Drinking Water Week.The PSC is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com or call 1-800-342-3552.

Customer Meeting Set for Orangewood Lakes Services

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will conduct a customer meeting on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, for customers of Orangewood Lakes Services, Inc. The utility provides water service to approximately 223 water and 190 wastewater customers in Pasco County and has applied for an increase in rates. This is the utility’s first rate case.The meeting allows customers to comment on the proposed rates and any quality-of-service issues relevant to the utility. Customers are invited to attend the meeting at the following time and location: Wednesday, May 7, 20086:00 p.m.Commission Chambers Board Room, Suite 160West Pasco Government Center7530 Little RoadNew Port Richey, Florida The PSC is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Florida Public Service Commission Considers Items of Interest at Upcoming Agenda Conference

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at the May 6, 2008 Agenda Conference:
ITEM 3: DOCKET NO. 040763-TP – Request for submission of proposals for relay service, beginning in June 2005, for the hearing and speech impaired, and other implementation matters in compliance with the Florida Telecommunications Access System Act (TASA) of 1991. The Commission will consider a staff recommendation addressing Florida Telecommunication Relay, Inc.’s 2008-2009 fiscal-year budget and replacement of two members of the TASA committee who have resigned.ITEM 7: DOCKET NO. 080230-TL – Review of Tariff Filing (T-080233) by Verizon Florida LLC to Establish Bill Credit Trial. The Commission will consider a staff recommendation addressing whether the tariff should be allowed to remain in effect, or be canceled, under Section 364.057(1), Florida Statutes.The Agenda Conference is scheduled for the following time and location: Tuesday, May 6, 20089:30 a.m.Betty Easley Conference CenterJoseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)4075 Esplanade WayTallahassee, FloridaThe Agenda Conference is carried on the Florida Channel (check your local listings). The event is available online by going to www.floridapsc.com and selecting Commission Calendar on the top right of the Web page. The PSC is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Florida Public Service Commission to Conduct Workshop on Hurricane Preparedness

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will conduct an informational workshop on Thursday, May 1, 2008 with Florida’s electric utilities and telecommunications companies on hurricane preparation activities for the 2008 season. The workshop will address the preparation status each utility or carrier has achieved for protecting its transmission and distribution assets during the upcoming hurricane season. Preparations may include facility inspections; maintenance and repairs; coordination with other utilities, government, and community groups; various storm hardening measures; post-storm recovery plans; and forensic data collection plans. The workshop is set for the following time and location:Thursday, May 1, 20089:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Betty Easley Conference CenterJoseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)4075 Esplanade WayTallahassee, FloridaThe PSC is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Children Learn Energy Awareness During PSC Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Activities

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) participated in the 16th annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work today by featuring energy awareness activities to coincide with this year’s theme, Making Choices for a Better World.“Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work offered an opportunity to share the PSC’s energy awareness strategies,” said PSC Chairman Matthew M. Carter II. “Showing the children practical, easy-to-use energy conservation measures will make a positive impact on their future. Energy conservation is about making choices now for a better world tomorrow.”PSC employees’ children toured the on-site power plant at the Capital Circle Office Complex and learned how energy is produced and how their energy use affects the energy supply. The children also enjoyed a virtual tour of the PSC’s online Energy Conservation House, which shows energy conservation tips for every room in your home.Energy awareness and its impact on the environment was highlighted further with a nature trail hike and interactive energy-themed games. The children spent the afternoon learning how the adult in their lives spends their workday at the PSC.Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work is designed to increase opportunities for boys and girls by exposing them to a day in the work-world, showing them the value of their education, and helping them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life.The PSC is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.To visit the Energy Conservation House or for additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Workshop On Evaluation of the Costs and Benefits of Energy Conservation Programs Set for Friday

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) staff will hold a workshop on Friday, April 25, 2008, to discuss the methods used to evaluate the costs and benefits of utility-sponsored energy efficiency and demand side management programs and how effectively those methods evaluate costs and benefits. Alternative evaluation methods will also be explored at the workshop.
The workshop is set for the following time and location:Friday, April 25, 20089:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.Betty Easley Conference CenterJoseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)4075 Esplanade WayTallahassee, FloridaThe PSC is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Florida Public Service Commission Encourages Environmental Awareness

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

In recognition of Earth Day, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is encouraging all Floridians to step-up efforts to conserve energy, reduce waste, and recycle resources. “Earth Day reminds us that we should make wise energy decisions at home and at work all year long,” said PSC Chairman Matthew M. Carter II. “Using energy efficiently and conserving it whenever possible will also help you save money now, and in the future, by reducing your energy needs.” The PSC’s commitment to energy conservation and renewable generation is highlighted by recent Commission actions to encourage additional renewable energy generation.On March 4, 2008, the Commission approved a rule addressing net metering standards for Florida’s five investor-owned utilities. Net metering allows electric customers who own photovoltaic systems, or other renewable generation equipment, to receive credit for the extra electricity they supply back to the utility. By offsetting consumption through net metering, customers can carry energy credits forward to the next month's billing cycle.The Commission conducted four informational workshops, from July through December 2007, to discuss establishing a state renewable portfolio standard (RPS). An RPS encourages renewable energy development by requiring utilities to generate a certain amount of power from renewable sources, usually by a certain date. The Commission’s summary of PSC findings from these workshops is available at:http://www.psc.state.fl.us/utilities/electricgas/RenewableEnergy/2008_03RPSSummaryFinal.doc.Last year, the Commission approved two negotiated power contracts with new renewable generators totaling approximately 120MW. Many municipal and public utilities also have green pricing programs that encourage further development of renewable generation.Since January 2008, the Commission has approved two renewable energy contracts totaling more than 80MW, one using landfill gas as fuel and one using waste wood products. Together, they will produce enough electricity to power almost 48,000 homes.The PSC is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.