Florida PSC News Releases

PSC Approves Stipulation for FPL Nuclear Cost Recovery

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

By a 3 to 2 vote Tuesday, Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a stipulation between the parties regarding Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) recovery of nuclear costs. The stipulation, however, does not restrict the PSC’s responsibilities under the law to further investigate actual and proposed costs related to nuclear projects.
Entered into by FPL, the Office of Public Counsel, and the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, the stipulation acknowledges the law requiring the PSC to determine the prudence and reasonableness of FPL’s nuclear costs during hearings next year. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy objected to the stipulation. Commencing in January, 2011, FPL will begin recovering $31 million in nuclear related costs.In July, Commission audit staff requested additional time to investigate costs associated with the uprate of FPL’s St. Lucie nuclear plant, after a critical internal FPL report and withdrawal of FPL’s St. Lucie Unit 1 EPU License Amendment Request. The stipulation provides for that, as well as the preconstruction costs related to FPL’s Turkey Point Nuclear Units 6 and 7.Each year by October 1, the Commission is required by rule to conduct a hearing to review the nuclear project costs for Florida’s investor-owned utilities. Discussion on Progress Energy Florida’s (PEF) actual and projected costs for its Crystal River and Levy County plants concluded during the Commission’s Nuclear Cost Recovery Hearing in August. On October 12, the Commission is scheduled to vote on PEF’s nuclear costs and other outstanding nuclear issues. For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

From the Desk of PSC Commissioner Lisa Polak Edgar: PSC Approves Stipulation for FPL Nuclear Cost Recovery

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) by a 3 to 2 vote today approved Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) Motion of Stipulation and Deferral for nuclear cost recovery. The Stipulation allows the Commission to further investigate actual and proposed costs for the company’s nuclear projects while also protecting ratepayers.Supported by the Office of Public Counsel and Florida Industrial Power Users Group, the Stipulation permits the Commission to determine prudence and reasonableness of FPL’s nuclear costs during nuclear cost recovery hearings next year. In January, a typical 1,000 kilowatt-hour FPL customer bill will reflect a monthly increase of 33 cents for carrying charges and other nuclear expenses. Costs recovered from ratepayers will be subject to refund with interest pending further review.In July, Commission audit staff requested more time to further investigate costs associated with the uprate of FPL’s St. Lucie nuclear plant. The Stipulation will afford all parties more time to investigate these costs as well as preconstruction costs for the company’s Turkey Point Nuclear Units 6 and 7.The Commission is required by rule to conduct a hearing each year by October 1 to review the nuclear project costs for Florida’s investor-owned utilities. Evidence on Progress Energy Florida’s (PEF) actual and projected costs for its Crystal River and Levy County plants concluded during the Commission’s Nuclear Cost Recovery Hearing in August. On October 12, the Commission is scheduled to vote on PEF’s nuclear costs and any other outstanding nuclear issues.

Nuclear Cost Recovery Hearing Continues Tuesday

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will continue a hearing on nuclear cost recovery beginning Tuesday, September 7. Commissioners voted to continue the proceeding to hear from all witnesses, including Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), intervenors, and PSC staff.Commissioners will consider questions related to FPL’s nuclear cost testimony and examine actual and projected costs related to the construction of FPL’s Turkey Point Units 6 and 7. Costs related to the uprate of FPL’s St. Lucie nuclear plant will also be considered. Discussion of Progress Energy Florida’s nuclear costs has concluded.The hearing, set for the following time and location, could last up to four days: Beginning Tuesday, September 7, 20109:30 a.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 Considers Items of Interest at Upcoming Agenda Conference

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at the Tuesday, August 31 Agenda Conference:
ITEM 3: Docket No. 100154-EG – Petition of approval of demand-side management plan of Gulf Power Company. ITEM 4: Docket No. 100155-EG - Petition of approval of demand-side management plan of Florida Power & Light Company.ITEM 5: Docket No. 100157-EG - Petition of approval of demand-side management plan of JEA.ITEM 6: Docket No. 100158-EG - Petition of approval of demand-side management plan of Florida Public Utilities Company.ITEM 7: Docket No. 100159-EG - Petition of approval of demand-side management plan of Tampa Electric Company.ITEM 8: Docket No. 100160-EG - Petition of approval of demand-side management plan of Progress Energy Florida, Inc.ITEM 9: Docket No. 100161-EG - Petition of approval of demand-side management plan of Orlando Utilities Commission.The Commission will address staff recommendations on plans which require utilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency programs as required by the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA).The Agenda Conference is scheduled for the following time and location:Tuesday, August 31, 20109:30 a.m.Betty Easley Conference CenterJoseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)4075 Esplanade WayTallahassee, FloridaThe Agenda Conference is broadcast on the Florida Channel (check your local listings) and is available online at www.floridapsc.com (select 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.

Nuclear Cost Recovery Hearing Begins Tuesday

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will conduct a hearing on nuclear cost recovery beginning Tuesday, August 24. The hearing will examine costs related to the construction of Florida Power & Light Company’s Turkey Point Units 6 and 7 and Progress Energy Florida’s Levy Units 1 and 2. Costs related to the uprate of existing nuclear power plants will be included in the deliberations.The hearing, set for the following time and location, could last up to four days: Beginning Tuesday, August 24, 20109:30 a.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.

PSC Approves Refund Settlement Agreement for Tampa Electric Company

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved, by a 4 to 1 vote, a settlement agreement that will provide a significant refund to Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) retail customers.The settlement, signed by TECO, the Office of Public Counsel, the Office of the Attorney General, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, and the Florida Retail Federation, resolves all issues pending before the PSC regarding TECO’s $25.74 million step increase implemented in January. The settlement also resolves the issues on appeal in the Florida Supreme Court.TECO will refund $24 million to its retail customers, in accordance with the settlement, as a one-time credit on customer bills. A residential customer who uses 1,000 kWh per month will receive a refund of approximately $18.50. Refunds will be applied only to active bills when they are issued in November.Effective January 1, 2011, Interruptible Service (IS) customer rates will be reduced due to a revenue reduction of $1.28 million (included in the $24 million total refund) for that rate class. The IS rate class includes mostly industrial customers who voluntarily allow power interruptions during peak demand to receive lower rates. This will reduce TECO’s total step increase from $25.74 million in 2010 to $24.46 million in 2011 and subsequent years.The final Commission decision in TECO’s rate case granted the company an increase of $114 million in rates and charges, effective in May 2009, with a proposed step increase that allowed the company another $25.74 million in 2010. The PSC’s approval of a step increase was designed to pay for five new gas generators and a new rail facility at TECO’s Big Bend plant in Tampa that were placed in service in the last quarter of 2009. Parties to the settlement contested the step increase and appealed the decision to the Florida Supreme Court. As part of the settlement, their pending appeal to the Court will be voluntarily dismissed.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.

PSC Increases Cash Rebates for Natural Gas Conservation Programs

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved modifications to several conservation programs for the state’s seven investor-owned natural gas utilities, which are members of the Associated Gas Distributors of Florida (AGDF) trade association.Today’s Commission decision allows cash rebate increases—some by as much as $150—to AGDF’s three most popular demand-side management programs: Residential Appliance Replacement Program, Residential Appliance Retention Program, and Residential New Construction Program. Commissioners determined that with the approved changes, existing programs remain cost-effective and will not unduly impact residential rates. Only the Gas Service Reactivation Allowance was rejected, after the Commission found it to be more of a marketing method than a conservation measure. The modifications also make each AGDF companies’ conservation programs and associated rebates similar to facilitate conservation related advertising.Commissioners agreed that the increased cash allowances will encourage homeowners and builders to select energy efficient natural gas appliances when replacing or purchasing new ones and, hopefully, increase the number of customers participating in the programs.AGDF members include Florida City Gas, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, Florida Public Utilities Company, Indiantown Gas Company, Peoples Gas Company, Sebring Gas System, and St. Joe Natural Gas Company.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.

PSC Commissioner Takes Public Oath

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Commissioner Ronald A. Brisé, the first Haitian-American to serve on the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), took the public oath of office before today’s Agenda Conference. The oath was administered by the Honorable Judith W. Hawkins, 2nd Judicial Circuit, Leon County. Commissioners Art Graham and Brisé, both previously sworn in to their new positions, were appointed by Governor Charlie Crist in July to fill two unexpired terms through January 2014. They join Chairman Nancy Argenziano, Commissioner Lisa Polak Edgar, and Commissioner Nathan A. Skop on the panel.Before his appointment, Commissioner Graham served on the Jacksonville City Council, where he helped oversee the budget of JEA and chaired the Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee. He also served on the Jacksonville Beach City Council from 1998 to 2002. Commissioner Graham is a past chair of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization and vice-president of the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Association. Commissioner Graham received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.Commissioner Brisé previously served the citizens of North East Miami-Dade (District 108) in the Florida House of Representatives for four years, where he was named Democratic Whip from 2006 to 2008 and served as Vice Chairman of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators. Most notably as a legislator, Commissioner Brisé sponsored successful legislation to expand broadband deployment throughout the state making it possible for underserved areas to have access to the technology. Commissioner Brisé was also successful in passing legislation to provide relief from garnishment to heads of families by increasing the amount of retainable earnings before garnishment.After taking the oath, Commissioner Brisé said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the great people of Florida. Three traits served me well as a legislator – integrity, sound judgment, and sensitivity to all parties – and I will use them well in my new role as Commissioner.”A past member of the North Miami Planning Commission, Commissioner Brisé is a past president of the Albert C. Pierre Community Center, a member of the NAACP, and a board member of the Haitian-American Scholarship Fund and the Miami Union Academy. Commissioner Brisé received a bachelor’s degree in biology education from Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama and received MBA degrees in management and marketing from American Intercontinental University in Illinois.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.