(Ed.'s Note: With more than $150 million collected from higher utility rates since 2013 to build the Tenaska Power Plant-to Nowhere, PUB has deigned to suspend utility disconnects and suspension of payments until after the COVID-19 crisis. However, the total payment will still be required to be paid once it's over.
On the other hand, Florida Power & Light - which doesn't have this cushion paid by ratepayers - are passing off lower-than projected costs of fuel the utility buys to fuel its plants in the form of bill reductions. PUB also has lower fuel costs, and what are they doing for their rate holders? Giving its executives pay raises?)
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By Ron Hurtibise
The South Florida- Sun-SentinelCash-strapped Florida households will have a few extra dollars to spend after paying their May power bills.
State utility regulators have approved Florida Power & Light’s bid to give customers a nearly 25 percent discount off electricity consumed in May, the utility announced Tuesday.
The reduction reflects lower-than-projected costs of fuel the utility buys to fire power generation plants throughout its service area. FPL, the state’s largest investor-owned utility, serves about 5 million customers, or 10 million people, along Florida’s eastern and southwestern coasts.
A typical household that consumes about 1,000 kWh of electricity per month will pay $73.36 for its service during May, FPL’s statement said. Normally that bill would be $96.04. Households that use more power will see bigger savings.
Fuel cost savings will also be passed along to customers of three other investor-owned utilities in the state, according to a statement from the Florida Public Service Commission.
They are Duke Energy Florida, Gulf Power Company and Tampa Electric Company. Discounts for Duke and Gulf customers will be applied to May bills, while Tampa Electric customers will see reduced costs from June to December, the PSC said.
Most years, any fuel cost savings are spread across several months, FPL said. But this year, the utility sought approval for a one-time reduction to provide financial help for customers affected by the coronavirus crisis.
Most years, any fuel cost savings are spread across several months, FPL said. But this year, the utility sought approval for a one-time reduction to provide financial help for customers affected by the coronavirus crisis.
To read rest of story, click on link: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-bz-fpl-25-percent-discount-request-approved-20200428-pbhivoskcjdovkg77tbvakbaqy-story.html