Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) is gearing up for a critical October hearing that could shape the future of electric rates for millions of customers. At the center of the debate is Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) push for higher base rates — and a competing proposal from state consumer advocates.
FPL and several business groups submitted a settlement plan in August that calls for base-rate hikes of $945 million in 2026 and $766 million in 2027, with additional charges in 2028 and 2029 to fund solar and battery-storage projects.
But the state Office of Public Counsel (OPC), which represents consumers in utility cases, refused to sign on. Instead, OPC and several consumer groups offered their own counterproposal. Their version would increase rates by $867 million in 2026 and $403 million in 2027, while still leaving room for possible future hikes — around $195 million in 2028 and $174 million in 2029 — tied to new generation projects.
The dueling settlements have sparked a legal standoff. FPL attorneys argue that OPC’s counterproposal shouldn’t even be considered since the utility isn’t part of it, calling it a “position paper” rather than a legitimate agreement. OPC’s attorneys disagree, saying nothing in the law requires FPL’s participation and stressing that their duty is to protect residential customers’ interests.
PSC Chairman Mike La Rosa raised the issue, along with other procedural matters, during a meeting Monday as both sides prepare for the formal hearing.
The commission will take up the competing plans during sessions scheduled for October 6–10 and October 13–17.
Source: CBS