Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineNovember 2, 2016

The Florida Public Service Commission signed off Wednesday on a moratorium on hedging of natural gas purchases by Florida’s major public electric utilities, pending negotiations over how the practice could stop costing ratepayers so much. The stipulated agreement calls for the commission to oversee one or more workshops beginning early next year in which the […]

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 […]

Peter SchorschAugust 16, 2016

Florida candidates and committees collected more than $10.5 million in contributions for the July 30 through Aug. 5 reporting period, though a lot of that money can be tagged to a handful of players. More than a quarter of that total came from utility companies pumping money into “Consumers for Smart Solar,” the committee backing […]

Jim RosicaNovember 11, 2015

Of the groups behind two solar-power constitutional amendments competing to get on the 2016 ballot, one currently has more signatures, but the other now has raised gobs more cash. The utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar has raised nearly $3.8 million, including $2.3 million in October alone, according to online campaign finance reports. The latest disclosures were due […]

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 […]

Bruce RitchieApril 27, 2015

A bill that would allow Duke Energy Florida to issue bonds for the shutdown of its Crystal River nuclear plant isn’t necessarily doomed in the House because of bill changes made by the Senate on Friday, a leading House supporter said. HB 7109 allows Duke Energy Florida to issue bonds for the $1.4 billion nuclear […]

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

The Senate on Friday voted to send an amended Public Service Commission bill back to the House after Sen. Jack Latvala indicated that Capitol lobbyists are not pleased with it. HB 7109 would limit PSC members to serving three four-year terms and require those who lobby to register the PSC Nominating Council to register as […]

Bruce RitchieApril 23, 2015

A Senate bill amendment to bar legislators from being on the Public Service Commission within two years of leaving office was withdrawn Thursday. Sen. John Legg, a Republican from Lutz, had filed the amendment to SB 288, a PSC bill that was brought up on second reading Thursday. The amendment was withdrawn because of a […]

Tag: Gulf Power Co.

PSC approves one-year halt to hedging of natural gas prices by utilities

Florida utilities keeping up with demand for electricity

Utilities, trial lawyers give big in recent reporting period

Utility-backed solar amendment rakes in campaign cash

Justices hear arguments on proposed solar power amendment

Poll shows less than 50 percent support for solar amendment

Duke Energy bill not doomed by Senate changes, key House supporter says

Senate sends PSC bill back to House with changes that “folks in the hall” don’t like

PSC/Duke Energy bill teed up for Senate vote after amendment withdrawn