PSC considering Fla. Power & Light rate proposal

The state's consumer advocate is participating under protest in a hearing on Florida Power & Light Co.'s proposed rate settlement.

The Public Service Commission on Monday began the hearing scheduled for up to three days in Tallahassee.

Public Council J.R. Kelly says the settlement between Florida's largest electric utility and a small number of business customers is a bad deal for other consumers.

That's because it includes elements not in FPL's original request to raise base rates by $690.4 million per year effective in January.

The proposal would increase rates by only $378 million in 2013, but Kelly says they'd go up by more than $1 billion annually by the end of the four-year agreement.

FPL contends it would be in the best interest of all customers.