MIAMI – A public meeting was held Monday night by the Public Service Commission at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium to address their concerns about a proposed rate hike for Florida Power & Light customers.
Some said they would not be able to afford the monthly increase.
"I am retired. I live on a fixed income," one Miami resident said. "This 23 percent rate increase is going to hurt."
From 2017 to 2020, FPL is proposing three base-rate adjustments that would total about $13 dollars extra on an average household's monthly bill.
Local politicians, like South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard, spoke out against the proposed hike before the meeting.
"FPL has more pass-throughs to the customers than any utility in the United States," he said.
Jaime Torrens, the chief facilities officer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, told Local 10 News consumer advocate Christina Vazquez that a hike could cost the district $37 million over the next four years, tapping into the same budget used to pay teachers.
FPL, however, said the base-rate increase is necessary in order for its infrastructure to be upgraded, and for service to be reliable.
"Our bills are $40 lower than the average in the nation," said FPL spokesperson Sarah Gatewood.
Others at Monday's meeting said they supported a rate increase as long as it is fair.
"I have received excellent service in the time that I've been a customer," one Miami resident said.
The PSC is scheduled to file a recommendation with the Commission on Nov. 17. Commissioners are expected to vote on this matter at the Nov. 29 Commission Conference.
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| June 28 9:30 a.m. County Commission Chambers Broward County Governmental Center 115 S. Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 ________________________________ |
| June 28 5 p.m. South Regional/Broward College Library 7300 Pines Boulevard Pembroke Pines, FL 33024 ________________________________ |
| June 29 9:30 a.m. Florida Memorial University Lou Rawls Auditorium 15800 N. W. 42nd Avenue Miami Gardens, FL 33054 |