PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — In a hearing room in Tallahassee this week, political appointees on the Florida Public Service Commission are deciding whether your electricity costs will go up again — this time, to grant Florida Power & Light its biggest rate hike in history.
FPL’s four-year rate plan would raise base rates for 12 million customers starting next year. Boiled down to a headline, the company says it needs the money to strengthen the electric grid — and that the average customer would pay just a few dollars more per month.
FPL scaled back its original proposal in a deal with some of its largest corporate customers. But that move has sparked major backlash from critics — including advocates for homeowners, families, and small businesses already struggling with rising electric bills.
They call the rate request “unfair, unjust, and unreasonable,” pointing out that it includes a nearly 11 percent guaranteed profit for investors.
The Public Service Commission is hearing testimony on all sides of the issue this week.
Zayne Smith, senior director of advocacy for AARP Florida, is among those set to testify. She joined “This Week in South Florida” to share the organization’s stance on the proposed rate increase.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
