Florida’s largest utility, FPL, is seeking a nearly 30% increase in electricity rates. Customers who want to express concerns about the FPL rate increase can do so in person. A hearing, on June 15, in West Palm Beach will be held at the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County. The hearing begins at 6 p.m. The facility is located at 7501 N. Jog Rd in West Palm Beach.

The Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC), is the government body that will decide on the FPL rate increase. The FPSC has required FPL to host hearings in all of its service territories. The hearings will allow customers the opportunity to voice their opinion in public. This is the third of nine available hearings. Following the local hearings customers will have to travel to Tallahassee to be heard. This is assuming a public comment will be allowed. Large customers have the option to formally intervene in the rate case. Homeowners typically intervene through advocacy groups like Vote Solar, AARP and the Sierra Club.

Low income Floridians hit the hardest by the FPL rate increase

Those hit the hardest from the FPL rate increase, seniors on fixed incomes and low income residents. One of FPL’s largest customers, Walmart and Sam’s Club, oppose the FPL rate increase. Fears of higher cost of operations at Walmart will trickle down. Florida’s seniors on fixed incomes and low income consumers depend on Walmart’s low prices.

The FPL rate increase claims to be a benefit to Floridians by FPL. The added money will harden the grid against storms and generate clean(er) energy through new fossil fuel power plant investments. Local reports also state the company will be using the money to invest in three large, grid scale, solar power plants however in testimony filed with the FPSC and press releases, the company has stated that those plants were being built without added cost to the customer.

FPL has also come under fire recently from residents of Miami and Floridians who want clean water after it was discovered that the nuclear reactors salt pollution levels were higher than recommended. The cost of the clean up will likely be $50 million dollars which FPL customer will likely have to pay, a factor not included in the current FPL rate increase.