Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineOctober 27, 2016

The Florida Public Service Commission heard testimony Thursday on a compromise four-year, $811 million electric rate increase for Florida Power & Light co., including a denunciation of the deal by AARP. “There’s nothing in the record, in our opinion, to reflect any need for any increase by Florida Power & Light. In fact, we believe […]

Staff ReportsOctober 20, 2016

Florida Power & Light Co. plans to upgrade its communications system to a digital format. The company promised improved responses to power outages and connections to first responders during emergencies. The utility said Thursday it would abandon its existing analog network in favor of a digital system supplied by Harris Corp, including command consoles and […]

Michael MolineSeptember 14, 2016

The lights seem likely to stay on in Florida for the next 10 years, utility industry representatives told the Public Service Commission Wednesday. Reserve margins for the electricity supply should exceed 20 percent during that time, due to increased reliance on natural gas — projected to hold steady at 65 percent of supply. Renewable energy […]

Staff ReportsAugust 9, 2016

In a pro forma move, the Public Service Commission Tuesday OK’d Duke Energy Florida‘s plan to charge customers for its nuclear energy costs. The commission unanimously approved the roughly $52 million in recovery in a five-minute hearing on the request for next year. The utility will use the money to defray costs from shutting down its Crystal River […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

The Tallahassee attorney for Earthjustice, a national environmental law organization, is calling a proposed state constitutional amendment on solar power “a disguised attempt to derail rooftop solar in Florida.” The Florida Supreme Court had scheduled oral arguments for the hotly contested proposal for 11 a.m. March 7 with no more than 30 minutes allowed for each side. Among […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday rescheduled oral arguments for a hotly-contested proposed constitutional amendment on solar power. Arguments are now set for 11 a.m. on March 7, the court announced, with no more than 30 minutes allowed for each side. Among other requirements, proposed amendments to the state constitution must be OK’d by the court to ensure they cover only […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2016

As promised, the backers of one proposed solar-power constitutional amendment have filed a legal brief opposing the other and asked for oral argument. Floridians for Solar Choice, supported by the solar industry and business and consumer interests, on Monday filed its opposition brief against the utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar. Its attorneys advanced the filing earlier in […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 1, 2015

Florida Supreme Court justices on Tuesday heard both sides of a proposed constitutional amendment on solar-generated electricity. Lawyers for its proponents and opponents presented their cases to the court as part of a required legal review. Proposed amendments can deal with only one subject and the summary that voters see on the ballot can’t be misleading. The amendment […]

Jim RosicaAugust 31, 2015

A new poll says only a minority of voters supports a proposed constitutional amendment on solar-generated electricity. The poll results came in a news release about 17 hours before lawyers are scheduled to argue for and against that amendment before the state Supreme Court. Of likely Florida voters, 41 percent support the amendment, according to the poll […]

Phil AmmannJune 15, 2015

Florida, long heralded as a powerhouse in citrus and agricultural production, will soon be well known as the leader in a new industry: advanced energy. Last year, advanced energy surpassed agriculture as an important economic driver in Florida, according to the first comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy market. “Advanced Energy in Florida,” a new report […]

Tag: Florida Power & Light Co.

AARP mounts defense against $811 million rate deal for FPL customers

FPL upgrading field communications system

Florida utilities keeping up with demand for electricity

PSC approves Duke nuke fees

Earthjustice strikes back against Smart Solar group

Supreme Court reschedules oral argument for ‘Smart Solar’ amendment

Solar amendment showdown goes to court

Justices hear arguments on proposed solar power amendment

Poll shows less than 50 percent support for solar amendment

Florida’s sunshine economy: Advanced energy market outpaces agriculture in 2014