Hot topic

State Senator Mike Fasano of New Port Richey has filed two proposed bills in the Florida Senate that modify the current state laws permitting utilities to unfairly charge customers for costs associated with nuclear plant developments. Representative Peter Nehr of Tarpon Springs has filed similar bills in the Florida House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 1608

Provides that after the Public Service Commission grants a petition for determination of need, an electric utility may petition the commission for a financing order for developing a nuclear plant. This would lead to issuing bonds for construction rather than billing the customers in advance for the costs. In addition, and in case Senate Bill 1608 is not passed into law, another bill has been introduced that makes major changes to the existing legislation:

Senate Bill 1830 (also House Bill 1101)
Revises Florida Statute 366.93 as follows:

1) Puts a starting date for recovery of costs for a nuclear plant to January 1, 2011 [two-year moratorium], and returns to the customers any charges previously made.
(2) Removes a provision in which the utility can increase its base rate to write off the value of any generating plant that is replaced by a nuclear plant
(3) Eliminates wording that acknowledges and accepts that yearly cost estimates may change relative to the original estimated cost
(4) Removes a provision that permits the utility to recover all costs incurred in the development of a nuclear facility in the event that the project is canceled, and replaces it with a provision ordering the utility to return all billing charges previously made to the customers

In order for these bills to become law, we need to encourage our local legislators to support them. Please contact:

Senator Paula Dockery: dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov ; Phone (863) 413-2900
Representative John Wood (Polk County): john.wood@myfloridahouse.gov ; Phone: (863) 419-3470

Progress Energy Rate Hike
Latest Status: TBA

Poinciana Residents for Smart Change

aaaaaaaaaaaaiii