Florida PSC News Releases

WORKFORCE plus Recognized as PSC Helping Hand for May

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:47:25 +0000

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) today recognized WORKFORCE plus as a PSC Helping Hand. Partnerships are essential to raise public awareness, and the Commission appreciates WORKFORCE plus representatives’ assistance in educating Florida’s unemployed about energy and water conservation and the Lifeline Assistance (Lifeline) telephone discount program.
“I’m pleased to recognize WORKFORCE plus and its Chief Executive Officer, Jim McShane, as an essential PSC partner in reaching Florida’s unemployed with ways to save money on their utility bills,” said PSC Chairman Ronald A. Brisé. “By helping us promote Lifeline and share conservation information, WORKFORCE plus helps its clientele stretch their money when they need it most.” During two PSC workshops held last year with state agencies and social service representatives from across Florida, the Commission helped organizations connect to share resources and more effectively serve their clientele. To continue the workshops’ success and recognize positive working relationships, each month this year the PSC is acknowledging a partner--a PSC Helping Hand--who has assisted the Commission’s outreach efforts.“I thank Chairman Brisé and the PSC for this recognition,” said McShane. “A phone is essential to connect with potential job opportunities, and the Lifeline program makes it possible for many unemployed residents to keep phone service. We are always pleased to help our clients learn about helpful, money-saving opportunities on their way to gaining employment.” Look for the PSC Helping Hand web page, recognizing outreach partners throughout 2013, under Hot Topics on the PSC’s homepage, www.floridapsc.com. More information on Lifeline Assistance can also be found under Hot Topics at www.floridapsc.com. Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Customer Service Hearings Set for TECO Rate Request in Tampa and Winter Haven

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:30:44 +0000

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will conduct customer service hearings on Wednesday, May 29, and Thursday, May 30, for customers of Tampa Electric Company (TECO). In April, TECO filed a petition with the PSC for an increase to its base rates.
As of May 2013, a 1,000 kilowatt-hour (kWh) monthly bill for residential customers is $102.58. Using TECO’s proposed increase, a 1,000 kWh monthly bill for residential customers is estimated to be $112.99 in January 2014. The hearings allow customers to comment on the proposed rates and any TECO quality-of-service issues. Customers are invited to attend the hearings at the following times and locations:Wednesday, May 29, 20136:00 p.m. Hillsborough Community College/ Dale Mabry CampusStudent Services AuditoriumDSTU Building, Room 1114001 West Tampa Bay BoulevardTampa, FL 33614andThursday, May 30, 201310:00 a.m.Chain of Lakes ComplexPoolside Room210 Cypress Gardens BoulevardWinter Haven, FL 33880TECO provides electric service to more than 687,000 customers in Hillsborough and portions of Polk, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida PSC Helps You Be Cool and Save Energy

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:31:53 +0000

Knowing that your air-conditioners (AC) will soon be running nonstop, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is cooling you off with another energy-saving tip for its 2013 Energy Saving Challenge during Florida’s historic 500th anniversary year. Participating residents can save up to 500 kilowatt hours (kWh) or more of energy through December that will save them money and help protect resources for future Floridians and visitors to enjoy for another 500 years.
For May’s tip, the PSC urges you to “be cool and save energy.” Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher and leave it there. For every degree below that setting, you’ll use 10 percent more electricity. Set the thermostat even higher when at work or away from home for long periods of time, but no more than five degrees higher. The PSC also urges you to change or clean your AC filter regularly and use your ceiling fan for more comfort. Only turn it on, however, when you’re in the room because ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms. You’ll also want to clear your outside AC unit of plants or brush, so it can run more efficiently. “We want Florida’s residents to be ready for summer weather, and that means more than having the latest in swim wear,” said PSC Chairman Ronald A. Brisé. “It means checking your home’s air-conditioning system and changing your air filters, which should be done regularly because dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.”“Florida’s reputation as a one-of-a-kind cultural destination is a testament to its diverse, innovative, and resourceful residents,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “The PSC’s energy challenge will help future generations of Floridians enjoy the great state we call home, and we welcome them as a Viva Florida 500 partner.”Join the PSC’s 2013 Energy Saving Challenge and track your new conservation habits and monthly energy savings. Look for next month’s PSC challenge and visit our website to find more energy saving tips at www.floridapsc.com/consumers/tips.About Viva Florida 500Viva Florida 500 is a statewide initiative led by the Florida Department of State, under the leadership of Governor Rick Scott, to highlight the 500 years of historic people, places, and events in present-day Florida since the arrival of Juan Ponce de León to the land he named La Florida in 1513.In 2013, Florida will mark 500 years of history and diverse cultural heritage – a claim no other state in America can make – and promote the place where the world’s cultures began to unite and transform into the great nation we know today as the United States of America.For more information on Viva Florida 500, visit the Department of State’s website on Florida’s 500th Anniversary at http://www.vivaflorida.org/.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Assists Miami Seniors During Older Americans Month

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:42:09 +0000

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) is showing seniors in the Miami area how to save money during May for Older Americans Month. The PSC is partnering with Alliance for Aging, Inc. for this year’s event on Wednesday, May 22, in Miami.Since 1963, communities and agencies across the state and nation have joined in the annual commemoration, a tradition that shows the state’s commitment to celebrating the contributions and achievements of older Florida residents.PSC representatives will be in Miami to distribute conservation information and assist eligible consumers in signing up for the Lifeline Assistance discounted telephone service program. Additional educational sessions are being held throughout the state.The event will be held at the following times and locations:Wednesday, May 22, 201310:00 a.m. Alliance for Aging, Inc. (2nd Floor Large Conference Room)760 NW 107 AvenueMiami, FL 33172For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Assists Miami Area Seniors During Older Americans Month

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:41:11 +0000

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) is showing seniors in the Miami area how to save money during May for Older Americans Month. The PSC will host two events on Tuesday, May 21, in Miami and Miami Beach.Since 1963, communities and agencies across the state and nation have joined in the annual commemoration, a tradition that shows the state’s commitment to celebrating the contributions and achievements of older Florida residents.PSC representatives will be in the Miami area to distribute conservation information and assist eligible consumers in signing up for the Lifeline Assistance discounted telephone service program. Additional educational sessions are being held throughout the state.The events will be held at the following times and locations:Tuesday, May 21, 201311:00 a.m. South Shore Community Center833 6th StreetMiami Beach, FL 33139andTuesday, May 21, 20131:00 p.m. Covenant Palms Meal Site8400 NW 25th AveMiami, FL 33147 For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Florida PSC Approves Florida Relay System Budget

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:00:19 +0000

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved the annual budget for Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI), keeping the monthly surcharge paid by Florida telephone customers at 11 cents. FTRI administers the statewide Florida Relay System (FRS) that provides access to basic telecommunications services for more than three million Florida citizens who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf/blind, or speech-impaired.
“This is the sixth year that we’ve kept the monthly surcharge the same for this vital service for Florida’s hard-of-hearing residents,” said PSC Chairman Ronald Brisé. “We’re pleased that Florida can offer these vital communication services to keep deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired consumers connected to family, friends, and businesses.” Last year, the PSC approved a three-year contract with AT&T Relay Services to provide Florida’s FRS service. AT&T’s contract, effective June 2012, was lower than the previous FRS contract and offered the most cost effective service for Florida’s citizens. AT&T also located a call center in Florida, bringing new jobs to the state, which supports the top priority set by Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature.Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, FRS facilitates telephone calls between people with hearing loss or speech disabilities and other individuals by using specialized equipment and a communications assistance operator to relay information.FTRI is a non-profit organization with 23 Florida regional distribution centers to assist consumers with specialized phone needs. For information on how to obtain the special equipment, call FTRI at 1-800-222-3448 (Voice) or 1-888-447-5620 (Text Telephone/TTY) or visit www.ftri.org.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

PSC Commissioner Balbis Issues Order in Duke Energy Florida CR3 Case

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:09:28 +0000

Florida Public Service Commissioner (PSC) Eduardo Balbis, as prehearing officer, filed an order last Friday resolving disputed case issues in the Duke Energy Florida (DEF) Crystal River 3 docket. The order finds that parties can review the prudence of DEF’s actions with its insurance carrier, Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL), prior to the PSC’s approval of the company’s Settlement Agreement on February 22, 2012.
“With this ruling, I clarified the scope of the proceedings so that the parties can focus on the key issues of the docket,” said Commissioner Balbis.“I find that neither the Commission nor the Intervenors are prohibited from analyzing relevant information regarding the NEIL insurance policy in the context of the scope of this case,” Commissioner Balbis stated in the order. “This order does not afford the Parties with a carte blanche ability to review irrelevant information since the policy’s inception or costs that have already been deemed prudent by the Commission.”Parties to the CR3 docket include the Office of Public Counsel, White Springs Agriculture Chemicals, Inc., Florida Industrial Power Users Group, Florida Retail Federation, and DEF.For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

Items of Interest at Upcoming Florida PSC Commission Conference

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:47:07 +0000

The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at its Tuesday, May 14, Commission Conference:
ITEM 3: Docket No. 110013-TP – Request for submission of proposals for relay service 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 address a staff recommendation to approve Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.’s proposed budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.ITEM 8: Docket No. 130006-WS – Water and wastewater industry annual reestablishment of authorized range of return on common equity for water and wastewater utilities pursuant to Section 367.081(4)(f), F.S. The Commission will consider a staff recommendation on a leverage formula to calculate a reasonable range of returns on equity for water and wastewater utilities.ITEM 11: Docket No. 130040-EI – Petition for rate increase by Tampa Electric Company (TECO). The Commission will address a staff recommendation on TECO’s petition to suspend its permanent rate increase request, and continue its current authorized rates, until the Commission rules on the pending rate case.The Commission Conference is scheduled for the following time and location:Tuesday, May 14, 20139:30 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.