Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineAugust 7, 2018

The Public Service Commission signed off Tuesday on Duke Energy Florida’s plan to collect the last $43 million it needs from ratepayers to recoup upgrade costs for its now-closed Crystal River 3 nuclear power plant. The commission voted 3-2 to attach to the plan a copy of a settlement agreement between Duke and the Office […]

Michael MolineJuly 17, 2018

A state panel declined Tuesday to choose among six candidates for the Public Service Commission, and instead voted unanimously to send all six names to Gov. Rick Scott. The candidates include Julie I. Brown and Gary Clark, incumbent commissioners whose terms expire at the end of the year. The Florida Constitution forbids commissioners from serving […]

Michael MolineJuly 10, 2018

Central Florida, get ready for a new area code. The Public Service Commission voted Tuesday to authorize the debut of 689 code for new customers, perhaps as soon as May 2019. The North American Numbering Plan Administrator, or NANPA, which oversees the area code system, will figure out the precise timing. “They’ll get back with […]

Staff ReportsMay 21, 2018

With last year’s Atlantic storm season among the strongest, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) urges residents to prepare now for the 2018 hurricane season, which runs June 1-Nov. 30. The commission, which issued a press release Monday, regulates the state’s investor-owned utilities. “Hurricane preparedness should top our to-do lists,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham […]

Staff ReportsMay 12, 2018

Former state Rep. Ritch Workman has a new job. The Melbourne Republican recently started as a special projects manager at Palm Bay City Hall, where he is tasked with managing the Brevard County city’s effort to make its facilities more energy efficient. Workman’s new gig was first reported by Rick Neale and Wayne T. Price […]

Michael MolineMay 3, 2018

Large electric customers and local governments complained about communications meltdowns and urged large-scale “undergrounding” of Florida’s electric infrastructure during the second day of Public Service Commission workshops about hurricane preparedness and restoration. Public Counsel J.R. Kelly seconded the motion regarding the communications problems during and following Hurricane Irma, when customer calls crashed utilities public information switchboards […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 3, 2018

Ronald A. Brisé, the former state utility regulator denied a third term by Gov. Rick Scott, now is joining the Gunster law firm as a government affairs consultant. The news was shared first with Florida Politics. Brisé will join his former Public Service Commission (PSC) colleague Lila Jaber, now Gunster’s Regional Managing Shareholder. He will be based in the Tallahassee and […]

Drew WilsonDecember 29, 2017

Duke Energy and Tampa Electric Company asked the Public Service Commission this week to approve plans that would allow them to pass to ratepayers more than $600 million in costs related to Hurricane Irma and other storms. Duke Energy’s proposal would see the company collect $513 million from customers, who would see their average bill […]

Ana CeballosDecember 4, 2017

After Republican state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto publicly accused Ritch Workman, a Gov. Rick Scott appointee to the Public Service Commission, of making vulgar and inappropriate comments to her at a charity event last year, he said Monday he is no longer pursuing his nomination. “At a public charity event in 2016, former Rep. Ritch Workman […]

Mitch PerryApril 4, 2017

Legislation that would bring new measures of accountability to Florida’s Public Service Commission passed a House Committee on Tuesday. Pinellas Republican Kathleen Peters’s bill (HB 7071) would create performance-based incentives for utilities by rating their reliability, customer service, power plant performance and costs. It also would bar lawmakers from serving on the commission within six years of […]

Tag: PSC

Duke Energy’s plan to pay off nuke upgrade costs OK’d

Panel sends Rick Scott six finalists for PSC vacancies

PSC approves new area code in Central Florida

Prep for hurricanes, PSC reminds Floridians

Ritch Workman lands job at Palm Bay City Hall

Customers clamor for ‘undergrounding’ during PSC storm-hardening workshop

Personnel note: Ronald A. Brisé joins Gunster

Ratepayers could be on the hook for millions due to Hurricane Irma

Rick Scott appointee steps down after state Senator accuses him of ‘abhorrent’ behavior

Bill to reform public utilities advances in House committee