Florida power companies want to raise electric bills up to 20%
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The price of groceries is up. The price of gas is up. Now on top of that, two major power companies in Central Florida say they want to increase your power rates.
Florida Power and Light, which services 75% of the state, and Duke Energy say they need more money to help offset the cost of two things: the millions spent restoring power and repairing after hurricanes Ian and Nicole, plus the higher cost of natural gas. But many consumers say they aren’t buying it.
Sign up for our Newsletters“They make enough profit. We shouldn't have to be paying for their problems,” Jennifer Ullrich, a Duke customer, said.
Florida Power and Light wants an increase of approximately 10%. That means a monthly bill of $170 would go up $17 for a total of $187.
But Duke Energy wants to double that as they’re asking for a 20% increase, tacking another $34 to the bill, tipping the total to $204.
“That's terrible. People are trying to pay their bills now, and if it goes up $20, that's too high,” Tonya Bridges, a Duke customer, said.
Florida Power and Light said, in part, the proposed rate increase is set up “in a thoughtful way that minimizes the impact on our customers while balancing the risk of invoices piling up."
Duke Energy said, in part, they will, “continue to look for creative solutions to provide rate relief.”
"What can I do about it? I can't do anything about it. I need lights, I need electric so I got to pay it,” Eugene Porter, a Duke customer, said.
It’s not a done deal. The power companies want the increase but the final decision will be made by the Florida Public Service Commission.
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