Florida PSC News Releases

Florida PSC Considers Items of Interest at Upcoming Commission Conference

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:16:21 +0000

The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at the Tuesday, February 14, Commission Conference:
ITEM 3: Docket No. 110013-TP - Request for submission of proposals for relay service, beginning in June 2012, for the deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, or speech impaired, and other implementation matters in compliance with the Florida Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991. The Commission will consider a staff recommendation on selecting a contract provider for relay service.ITEM 6: Docket No. 120001-EI - Fuel and purchased power cost recovery clause with generating performance incentive factor. The Commission will address a mid-course correction request from Gulf Power Company to reduce the fuel and purchased power charge on customer bills.ITEM 8: Docket No. 100330-WS - Application for increase in water and wastewater rates in Alachua, Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia, and Washington Counties by Aqua Utilities Florida, Inc. The Commission will address the utility’s quality of service, requested final rates, and appropriate disposition of interim rates and regulatory assets.The Commission Conference is scheduled for the following times and location:Tuesday, February 14, 20129:30 a.m.Item 8 will be heard at 1:00 p.m.Betty Easley Conference CenterJoseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)4075 Esplanade WayTallahassee, FloridaThe Commission Conference is broadcast on the Florida Channel (check your local listings) and is available online at www.floridapsc.com (look for the “Watch Live Broadcast” icon on the left side of the Web page).For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Customer Meeting Set for Utility Corporation of Florida, Inc.

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:34:20 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Utility Corporation of Florida, Inc. (Utility Corporation) to a meeting on Thursday, February 9, to discuss the utility’s application for a rate increase.
Customers can comment on Utility Corporation’s proposed rates and any quality of service issues at the meeting. This is the utility’s first rate case. Utility Corporation provides service to approximately 317 wastewater customers in Highlands County. The customer meeting time and location follow:Thursday, February 9, 20126:00 p.m.Springlake Community Center209 Springlake BoulevardSebring, FL 33876For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida PSC Enhances Public Access and Participation in PEF Settlement Agreement Process

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:03:11 +0000

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) will consider the Progress Energy Florida (PEF) Settlement Agreement (Agreement) proposing January 2013 rate changes on February 20 to accommodate the utility’s request for an expedited review. Because of PEF’s broad Agreement requests, the PSC is taking additional steps to ensure an open and transparent public process.
“Public participation is always an integral part of the PSC decision-making process,” said PSC Chairman Ronald A. Brisé. “Because of the unprecedented nature of this particular case, we are taking extraordinary steps to ensure the public has the opportunity to provide input in the PSC process of reviewing this Agreement.” The public can participate during the hearing. PSC staff will be available before the hearing begins to sign up customers who want to comment. Customers can also comment in writing by e-mailing contact@psc.state.fl.us and referencing docket number 120022. Additionally, for this petition only, the PSC is allowing public computer access to depositions and discovery in dockets affected by the Agreement. Computer access is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday through February 17 at the PSC’s Office of Commission Clerk, located in the Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee. Further information in the affected dockets is available on the Commission’s Web site, www.floridapsc.com; select the “Dockets” menu and enter the docket number. PEF’s proposed Agreement is comprehensive since it seeks to resolve many PEF issues currently before, or about to be before, the Commission. The Agreement increases base rates by $150 million, sets and keeps residential nuclear cost recovery at $3.45 per 1,000 kilowatt hours for five years, removes the Crystal River 3 (CR3) nuclear plant from customer rates until it’s either repaired or decommissioned, and refunds $288 million in fuel and purchased power costs for CR3 over five years.Parties to the Agreement include the Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, the Florida Retail Federation, White Springs Agriculture Chemicals, Inc., and the Federal Executive Agencies.The February 20 hearing will begin at 1:00 p.m., or immediately following a previously scheduled hearing on another matter, whichever occurs later, at the Betty Easley Conference Center. The hearing will continue on Wednesday, February 22, if needed.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida PSC Considers Items of Interest at Upcoming Commission Conference

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:54:04 +0000

The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at the Tuesday, January 24, Commission Conference:
ITEM 3: Docket No. 100459-EI - Petition for authority to implement a demonstration project consisting of proposed time-of-use and interruptible rate schedules and corresponding fuel rates in the Northwest Division on an experimental basis and request for expedited treatment, by Florida Public Utilities Company. The Commission will address the City of Marianna’s objection to the Commission’s approval of FPUC's experimental time-of-use and interruptible service rates.ITEM 7: Docket No. 110306-TP - Request for emergency relief and complaint of FLATEL, Inc. against BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. d/b/a AT&T Florida to resolve interconnection agreement dispute. The Commission will consider a staff recommendation addressing AT&T's motion to dismiss FLATEL's complaint.ITEM 11: Docket No. 120005-WS - Annual reestablishment of price increase or decrease index of major categories of operating costs incurred by water and wastewater utilities pursuant to Section 367.081(4)(a), F.S. The Commission will address a staff recommendation on a price index for major categories of operating costs that allow water and wastewater utilities to adjust rates based on current specific expenses without applying for a rate case.The Commission Conference is scheduled for the following time and location:Tuesday, January 24, 20129:30 a.m.Betty Easley Conference CenterJoseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)4075 Esplanade WayTallahassee, FloridaFor additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Chairman Brisé Challenges Florida Residents to Conserve During Day of Utility Service

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:07:58 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will join public utility commissions throughout the country in recognizing the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 16, as a national “Day of Utility Service.”
“Dr. King believed that serving others is our greatest responsibility,” said PSC Chairman Ronald A. Brisé. “We can serve today by conserving our energy usage to preserve energy for Florida’s future generations. During ‘Day of Utility Service,’ please change to an energy efficient light bulb, caulk your windows, or schedule an energy audit.”He added, “While becoming more energy efficient yourself, you can also serve your neighbors by encouraging them to reduce their energy usage to help save money on utility bills and protect Florida’s energy future.”Energy conservation brochures are available on the PSC Web site at: http://www.psc.state.fl.us/publications/consumer/brochures.aspx.This is the fourth anniversary of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ (NARUC) “Day of Utility Service,” commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, NARUC is supporting Habitat for Humanity, since Habitat branches nationwide help eligible families receive affordable homes. By assisting with improved weatherization, Habitat homes can become even more energy efficient to permanently reduce energy bills for low-income families. Utility commissioners nationwide continue to promote energy efficiency as a way to hold down utility rates for all customers. If you’re interested in knowing more about Habitat’s mission, please visit: http://www.habitat.org/default.aspx.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Customer Meeting Set for Labrador Utilities, Inc.

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:44:39 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Labrador Utilities, Inc. (Labrador) to a meeting on Wednesday, January 18, to discuss the utility’s application for a rate increase.
Customers can comment on Labrador’s proposed rates and any quality of service issues at the meeting. The utility’s last rate increase was approved in 2009. Labrador provides service to approximately 767 water and 754 wastewater customers in Pasco County. The customer meeting time and location follow:Wednesday, January 18, 20126:00 p.m.Forest Lake Estates Community Clubhouse6429 Forest Lake DriveZephyrhills, FL 33540For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida PSC Considers Items of Interest at Upcoming Commission Conference

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:58:25 +0000

The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at the Tuesday, January 10, Commission Conference:
ITEM 3: Docket No. 110233-GU – Petition for approval of 2011 Depreciation Study by Sebring Gas Systems, Inc. The Commission will address a staff recommendation on revising depreciation rates for the utility.ITEM 4: Docket No. 110257-WS - Application for increase in water and wastewater rates in Seminole County by Sanlando Utilities Corporation. The Commission will consider a staff recommendation on interim rates.ITEM 6: Docket No. 110138-EI – Petition for increase in rates by Gulf Power Company. The Commission will consider Gulf Power Company’s motion for approval of partial settlement agreements concerning certain revenue, cost of service, and rate design issues.The Commission Conference is scheduled for the following time and location:Tuesday, January 10, 20129:30 a.m.Betty Easley Conference CenterJoseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)4075 Esplanade WayTallahassee, FloridaThe Commission Conference is broadcast on the Florida Channel (check your local listings) and is available online at www.floridapsc.com (look for the “Watch Live Broadcast” icon on the left side of the Web page).For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida Recognized by FCC Chair Genachowski For Protecting the Lifeline Program from Abuse

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:23:17 +0000

Florida was one of two states personally commended by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski for formidable efforts to identify and eliminate fraud in the Lifeline Assistance program, the discounted telephone service benefitting low-income consumers.
In his December 12 letter, Chairman Genachowski praised the states’ efforts to end any potential fraud in the Universal Service Fund (USF), specifically recognizing actions by Florida and Wisconsin, and also urged state commissions to join the FCC’s national effort “to reform the Lifeline program…and to take swift and strong action when necessary to protect the program.”Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Ronald Brisé said, “The PSC continues its work with Florida’s telecommunications companies to ensure that consumers enrolling in Lifeline are not already receiving the service from another provider. Avoiding duplicative services helps the Lifeline program benefit even more eligible consumers.”PSC Commissioner Art Graham, who brought renewed awareness to Florida’s large USF contributions, said, “I’m pleased that Florida is recognized as a national leader in eliminating Lifeline fraud. More residents needing the program can be helped when USF distribution is fair and legal.”Eligible Telecommunications Carriers receiving funds from the federal USF to offer the Lifeline programs must comply with federal and state regulations regarding universal service. In 2011, the Commission took action against four companies for apparent violations of Florida Statutes and Commission rules in providing Lifeline service.The federal Lifeline Assistance program offers customers who participate in certain public assistance programs a basic telephone service discount of at least $13.50 per month, or $162 per year. Link-Up provides a 50 percent reduction in the telephone service installation charge, up to a maximum of $30, for qualifying households that do not currently have telephone service. As of June 30, 2011, more than 943,000 eligible Florida telecommunications customers participated in the Lifeline program.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.