Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
July 3, 2014 2:00 p.m.
Florida Public Utilities customers recently received a notice from the utility company, which is seeking approval from the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) to increase rates and charges to produce an additional $5,852,171 in revenues. If approved, the total bill in January 2015 for an average 1,000 kWh/month customer would increase 4.62% over the current bill, or $6.12.
FPU stated in a recent letter to customers that it is also seeking interim rate relief to temporarily increase its revenues by $2,433,314 pending the FPSC’s decision on FPU’s request for a permanent increase.
FPU cites as reasons for the increase significant investments in its electric distribution in order to enhance reliability to customers, new projects to further enhance service reliability and an increase in FPU’s Operations and Maintenance expenses over the past several years, which occurred at time of declining revenues.
The FPSC Docket number assigned to this request is 140025-EI. Customers may attend a public hearing before the FPSC to comment on FPU’s service quality and request for a base rate increase scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. at the Atlantic Recreation Center Auditorium, 2500 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL. The FPSC has scheduled a technical hearing for September 15-18 in Tallahassee, FL.
Customers may also provide written comments. Include Docket No. 140025-EI in your correspondence, which should be addressed to: Commission Clerk, Florida Public Service Commission, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850.
You may also contact the Commission at their toll free number: 1-800-342-3552.
To learn more about the request, you may consult FPU’s Minimum Filing Requirements (MFRs) which are available for review at FPU’s local office at 780 Amelia Island Parkway, Fernandina Beach, FL Monday through Friday during regular work hours. The MFRs and a case synopsis are also available for review at the Fernandina Library Branch, 25 N. 4th Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. Additional information is also available on the company’s website: www.FPUC.com/2014ElectricRates.