TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – The Santa Rosa County Commission has joined other Panhandle communities in asking state regulators to review Florida Power & Light’s rates.
In a letter dated March 24 and posted Tuesday on the state Public Service Commission website, the Santa Rosa County Commission pointed to a base electric-rate increase that took effect Jan. 1 and additional costs that FPL is passing along to customers because of high natural-gas prices.
READ MORE: Davie PD Releases Clear Pictures Of Suspected Gunman Wanted For Killing Caged Dog
“FPL’s rate increases are having devastating impacts on individuals and families across Santa Rosa County, and the rate increases could not have come at a more economically difficult time for many of our residents,” the letter said.
Other communities, including Pensacola, have sent similar requests during the past month.
READ MORE: Biden Administration Expected To Extend Student Loan Repayment Pause
The Public Service Commission in October approved a settlement that included the base-rate hike. Part of the settlement involved integrating the rates of FPL and the former Gulf Power after a merger.
As part of the transition, former Gulf customers in Northwest Florida pay more than FPL customers in other areas and more than customers of Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Co.
MORE NEWS: SEE IT: Heroic Florida Deputies Pull Man From Burning Car
(©2022 CBS Local Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida’s contributed to this report.)
