Chairman Update Archives - Florida Public Service Commission

October Marks National Energy Awareness Month

Hurricane Matthew made us more aware of how crucial electricity is to our everyday needs and lives. This fact is also highlighted each October during National Energy Awareness Month. Businesses, educators, and homeowners have recognized Energy Awareness Month every October since its inception by a presidential proclamation in 1991 to promote smart energy choices that support our economy, protect our environment, and increase energy independence.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Awareness Month provides an opportunity for the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to remind consumers how their energy habits can make a difference to reduce their energy usage and their utility bills.

Each October, the PSC holds public events
to promote energy efficiency and conservation.

I have experienced firsthand how energy efficiencies can affect your electric bill and your home's comfort, since I've had a home energy audit. An energy audit can help pinpoint home improvements and simplify lifestyle changes that could put more money in your pocket. Florida's investor-owned utilities also offer programs or products that provide more customer options and control over their energy usage and, therefore, their electric bill. I highly recommend that every home owner take advantage of their utility's energy audit, which is usually free, and other home energy saving programs.

We take energy savings seriously at the PSC, as reflected by our current Commissioners' participation in past Energy Awareness Month events:

Commissioner Lisa Polak Edgar observed firsthand how the PSC's net metering rule is working thanks to a Duke Energy Florida customer voluntarily displaying his home's solar photovoltaic system.
Commissioner Art Graham joined Beaches Energy Services representatives to help perform a residential home energy audit.
Commissioner Ronald Brisé and the former City of Tallahassee Mayor helped a resident receive energy-saving home improvements through the City's Neighborhood REACH program—designed to lower home utility usage.
Commissioner Jimmy Patronis recognized the energy efficiency efforts of VizCo's CEO Chris Cantolino. The local business's innovative solar array powers its 26,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility.

We also have exchanged our suits for jeans and participated in a locally-sponsored Big Bend Habitat for Humanity "build" using energy efficient construction methods. To reach students, we teamed up with local high schoolers to teach their younger peers how to conserve energy in an original play, Turn It On; Turn It Off, performed during Energy Awareness Month.

Energy Awareness Month is a good time for all homeowners and businesses to assess how much energy they're consuming and identify ways to reduce waste and costs. One month simply isn't enough for me, so I work year-round to help consumers know that energy efficiency and conservation are critical components of Florida's energy strategy. Here are my suggestions to help you start conserving energy:

Schedule an energy audit!
Switch to ENERGY STAR appliances, and choose energy-saving lighting.
Install and set a programmable thermostat.
Beware of phantom power users! Unplug phone chargers, computers, and small appliances when not in use.
Turn off lights, ceiling fans, TVs, and entertainment systems when not in use.

Becoming energy efficient is the right thing to do, and I hope you will implement these energy and cost-saving measures. If you need additional assistance, contact your local utility and visit the PSC's website, www.floridapsc.com. The website for the Florida Office of Energy, is also a good resource for energy efficiency measures.

So, as our recent PSC consumer tip urges, "Remember, it's fall back when changing your clocks, but don't fall behind on your energy savings." Keep energy conservation a year-round plan for you and your family!

Hurricane Matthew Restoration Efforts

Florida residents and businesses across the state followed the Governor's directives and fully prepared for Hurricane Matthew, a Category 3 storm that caused heavy damage along Florida's east coast before its exit on October 7. Within four days following the storm, Florida's utilities showed remarkable progress by restoring power to 1.1 million customers statewide.

The PSC appreciates the team work and mutual aid between utilities that worked together in hard-hit communities to return power to schools, businesses, and homes as quickly as possible. Overall, the fast, efficient, and thorough response of Florida's utilities to aggressively restore power until the last customer's lights were back on is a tribute to our state's resiliency!

PSC employees worked around the clock at Florida's Emergency Operations Center to make sure accurate power outage/restoration reports were released to the public. Other PSC employees spent hours managing or manning Florida's Emergency Information Line to provide residents with appropriate shelter, evacuation route, and other storm-related information. I am proud of the PSC's contributions to help our state weather Hurricane Matthew.

Julie I. Brown, FPSC Chairman

CONTACT THE PSC:

On-line: www.FloridaPSC.com
E-mail contact@psc.state.fl.us
Call toll-free number: 800-342-3552
Fax toll-free: 800-511-0809

Send a letter to: The Florida Public Service Commission
2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850

For immediate access to PSC consumer information, download the free Barcode Scanner app on your smartphone, and scan our new 2d barcode (also called QR or quick response codes).

Commission Calendar

10/3-4	Florida Power & Light/Indiantown Hearing
10/4	East Marion Utilities Customer Meeting (Oklawaha)
10/5	Bocilla Utilities Customer Meeting (Englewood)
10/11	Commission Conference
10/11	Fuel Cost Recovery Clause Prehearing
10/17	Camachee Cove Utility Customer Meeting
10/20	TASA Meeting (Staff Only)
10/27	FPL Proposed Rate Case Settlement Hearing
10/28	KW Resort Rate Case Prehearing

October News Releases

PSC Customer Meeting for Bocilla Utilities, Inc. on Wednesday

PSC Approves FPL’s Purchase of Indiantown Cogeneration L.P.

PSC Urges Floridians to Prepare Now for Hurricane Matthew

Florida PSC Commission Conference on Tuesday

Florida PSC Approves Cost Recovery for Gulf Power Company’s Power Purchase Agreement

PSC Reports Utilities Fast Storm Restoration Efforts Helped Communities Return to Normal after Matthew

PSC Customer Meeting for Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor Utility

PSC Hearing on Proposed FPL Settlement Agreement Thursday

Cost Recovery Hearing on Wednesday

Florida PSC Commission Conference on Tuesday

Lake City’s Lifestyle Enrichment Center Named a PSC Helping Hand

September / October Notable FPSC Dockets

Electric Industry
Docket No. 20160204
09/07/2016 - Petition for approval of tariff changes to implement approved generation base rate adjustment, by Tampa Electric Company.

Gas Industry
Docket No. 20160199
09/01/2016 - Joint petition for approval of gas reliability infrastructure program cost recovery factors by Florida Public Utilities Company, Florida Public Utilities Company-Fort Meade, and the Florida Division of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation.

Docket No. 20160201
09/01/2016 - Petition for approval of 2015 true-up, projected 2016 true-up and 2017 revenue requirements and surcharges associated with cast iron/bare steel pipe replacement rider, by Peoples Gas System.

Telecommunications Industry
Docket No. 20160205
09/08/2016 - Application for certificate to provide local telecommunications service by Synergem Technologies, Inc.

Docket No. 20160212
09/19/2016 - Application for certificate to provide local telecommunications service by TNE Telephone, Inc.

September / October Notable FPSC Orders

Electric Industry
Order No. PSC-2016-0361A-PAA-EI ♦ Docket No: 20160039
09/13/2016 - Amendatory Order PSC-16-0361A-PAA-EI amending the retirement date on page 3 to March 31, 2016; Order PSC-16-0361-PAA-EI is reaffirmed in all other respects. [See DN 07092-16].

Order No. PSC-2016-0362-TRF-EI ♦ Docket No: 20160128
08/29/2016 - Order PSC-16-0362-TRF-EI approving Duke Energy's revenue requirement for the Hines Chillers Uprate Project; phase 2 revenue requirement and rate increase shall be addressed in Duke Energy's separately filed petition; proposed tariffs and associated charges shall go into effect with first cycle in November 2016; order to become final and effective on issuance of CO; if no timely protest, docket to be closed; protest due 9/19/16.

Order No. PSC-2016-0366-PAA-EU ♦ Docket No: 20160148
08/31/2016 - PAA Order PSC-16-0366-PAA-EU approving proposed territorial agreement in Polk County between City of Bartow and Duke Energy; order to become final and effective on issuance of CO; if no timely protest, docket to be closed; protest due 9/21/16.

Telecommunications Industry
Order No. PSC-2016-0380-PAA-TX ♦ Docket No: 20160161
09/16/2016 - PAA Order PSC-16-0380-PAA-TX granting WAHL TV Certificate of Authority No. 8898 to provide telecommunications service; order shall serve as WAHL TV's certificate and should be retained by WAHL TV as proof of certification; if no protest, order to become final and effective on issuance of CO; docket to be closed if order becomes final; protest due 10/7/16.

Order No. PSC-2016-0405-PAA-TX ♦ Docket No: 20160129
09/22/2016 - PAA Order PSC-16-0405-PAA-TX granting Budget's request to relinquish its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier designation; order to become final and effective upon issuance of CO; if no timely protest, docket to be closed; protest due 10/13/15.

Order No. PSC-2016-0411-PAA-TX ♦ Docket No: 20160150
09/23/2016 - PAA Order PSC-16-0411-PAA-TX granting Phone Club ETC status; if no protest, order to become final and effective on issuance of CO; if order becomes final, docket to be closed; protest due 10/14/16.

Wastewater Industry
Order No. PSC-2016-0406-FOF-SU ♦ Docket No: 20160095
09/22/2016 - Order PSC-16-0406-FOF-SU approving Commercial Utilities' application to amend Certificate No. 164-S effective 9/13/2016; order shall serve as Commercial Utilities' amended certificate and should be retained by Commercial Utilities; Commercial Utilities shall charge the customers in the territory added the rates and charges contained in its current tariffs until a change is authorized by this Commission in a subsequent proceeding; docket to be closed.

Water Industry
Order No. PSC-2016-0364-PCO-WU ♦ Docket No: 20160065
08/29/2016 - Order PSC-16-0364-PCO-WU suspending Bocilla Utilities' proposed final rates and approving interim rates; docket to remain open pending Commission's final action on the requested final water rates.

Chairman Brown Commission Update Archives

October Marks National Energy Awareness Month

Hurricane Matthew Restoration Efforts