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FPSC Rings in Busy New Year
Looking back at 2016, it is rewarding to see how productive we were and how
much we accomplished. The Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) closed
278 dockets, opened 252 dockets, held 22 customer meetings and hearings
across the state, and made many decisions to keep utilities safe and rates
stable for Florida's consumers and businesses. I believe 2017 will be an even
busier year for the FPSC, and January has already proved that to be true.
Earlier in 2016, two large utilities filed rate case petitions that are keeping our
agency busy: Utilities Inc. of Florida (UIF), a water and wastewater utility, and
Gulf Power Company (Gulf), an electric utility. As you are aware, when a utility
submits a rate change request, as UIF and Gulf did, the FPSC performs an
extensive investigation.
The FPSC holds one or more customer hearings within the utility's
service area so that Commissioners can hear from the public.
In January and February, the Commission will attend eight customer service
hearings in UIF's service territory and two hearings in Gulf's territory to listen
to customers' comments about their utility and quality of service. Testimony
by utility customers at public hearings is an integral part of utility ratemaking,
and we always urge consumers to participate.
The FPSC also conducts a technical hearing for every rate case, where
evidence is presented by expert witnesses, who are then cross-examined by
the utility, intervenors, FPSC staff, and the Office of Public Counsel. Gulf's technical
hearing is scheduled in March and UIF's will be in May. FPSC staff then
reviews the record and prepares a recommendation. Commissioners consider
the staff's recommendation at a public Commission Conference before
making a decision.
The FPSC is hosting Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Colette Honorable
at its February Internal Affairs meeting to discuss issues of state and
federal interest. In March, the FPSC will review the electric investor-owned
utilities' (IOU) Electric Distribution Reliability Reports, filed annually on or
before March 1. In this filing, each IOU reports the latest available data on its
various reliability indices, such as System Average Interruption Duration Index
(SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency index (SAIFI). The report
also describes the IOU's storm hardening efforts related to 10 ongoing
initiatives established by the FPSC. We review these reports to
verify the utilities' compliance with FPSC requirements and ensure
that Florida's utilities are maintaining quality service that is safe and
reliable.
In April, the FPSC will hold a roundtable discussion with executives
from each IOU to discuss hurricane preparedness and lessons learned
from the past hurricane season. Thereafter, in May, the FPSC will
review the storm preparedness plans for the state's electric utilities
before the 2017 hurricane season begins. By annually reviewing
utilities' adherence to FPSC preparedness rules, we are assured of
reduced storm-related outages and quicker recovery times for families
and essential services.
Throughout the year, we'll look at ways to continue to increase fuel
diversity in case the price of natural gas suddenly spikes. In that
regard, the FPSC will hold hedging workshops to evaluate more costeffective
ways to insure against rising gas prices.
Every day at the FPSC, we are dedicated to educating Florida's
consumers on the constantly changing choices they face. We want
consumers to know how to protect themselves and know where to
turn if they can't resolve their utility problems on their own. We
produce a variety of fact sheets, brochures, and consumer tips to help
customers make wise choices about everything from energy and
water conservation to reducing utility bills.
We encourage customers to let us know if you have a question or
need help with a utility problem. Just call the FPSC at 800-342-3552.
Both English and Spanish-speaking analysts are ready to help with
any questions or concerns about electric, natural gas, water or wastewater
service. I sincerely hope 2017 will be good for all of you!
Julie I. Brown, FPSC Chairman
CONTACT THE PSC:
On-line: www.FloridaPSC.com
E-mail contact@psc.state.fl.us
Call toll-free number: 800-342-3552
Fax toll-free: 800-511-0809
Send a letter to: The Florida Public Service Commission
2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850
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For immediate access to PSC consumer information,
download the free Barcode Scanner app on your smartphone, and scan our new 2d barcode
(also called QR or quick response codes).
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February Commission Calendar
| 2/1 |
Utilities Inc. of Florida Service Hearings
in Leesburg and Clermont
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| 2/2 |
Utilities Inc. of Florida Service Hearings
in Altamonte Springs and Lakeland
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| 2/7 |
Commission Conference |
| 2/22-2/23 |
Public Utility Research Center Meetings
in Gainesville
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January News Releases
PSC Commissioner Brisé Named to FCC's IAC Committee
Florida PSC Commissioner Donald Polmann Begins Term
PSC Customer Service Hearings for New Port Richey and Zephyrhills
PSC Customer Service Hearings for Punta Gorda and Lake Placid
PSC Report Shows Lifeline Assistance Program Continues to Benefit Florida Consumers
PSC Customer Meeting for Charlie Creek Utilities, LLC.
Pensacola Hair Salon Receives PSC's Triple E Award
Light of the World Ministries Named a PSC Helping Hand
December / January Notable FPSC Dockets
Electric and Gas Industry
Docket No. 160251
12/29/2016 - Petition for limited proceeding for recovery of incremental storm restoration costs related to Hurricane Matthew by Florida Power & Light Company.
Docket No. 170010
01/03/2017 - Joint petition requesting approval of territorial agreement for Escambia County, by City of Pensacola d/b/a Pensacola Energy and Florida Division of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation.
Docket No. 170014
01/10/2017 - Petition for approval of ENERGY STAR program for new multi-family residences, by Tampa Electric Company.
Telecommunications Industry
Docket No. 160249
12/27/2016 - Request for approval of interconnection agreement between Frontier Florida LLC and TampaBay DSL Inc. d/b/a PBX-Change.
Water and Wastewater Industry
Docket No. 170006
01/03/2017 - Water and wastewater industry annual reestablishment of authorized range of return on common equity for water and wastewater utilities pursuant to Section 367.081(4)(f), F.S.
December / January Notable FPSC Orders
Electric and Gas Industry
Order No. PSC-16-0582-PCO-EI
♦ Docket No:
160186
12/28/2016 - Order PSC-16-0582-PCO-EI suspending Gulf's request for $106,782,000 permanent base rate increase and its associated tariff revisions in order to allow staff and any intervenor sufficient time to adequately and thoroughly examine whether the request for permanent rate relief is appropriate; these dockets shall remain open pending staff's final determination in this matter.
Order No. PSC-17-0022-CO-EI
♦ Docket No:
160106
01/12/2017 - Consummating Order PSC-17-0022-CO-EI makes Order PSC-16-0570-PAA-EI effective and final; docket shall be closed.
Order No. PSC-17-0023-CO-EI
♦ Docket No:
160105
01/12/2017 - Consummating Order PSC-17-0023-CO-EI makes Order PSC-16-0569-PAA-EI effective and final; docket shall be closed.
Order No. PSC-17-0024-CO-EI
♦ Docket No:
160108
01/12/2017 - Consummating Order PSC-17-0024-CO-EI makes Order PSC-16-0572-PAA-EI effective and final; docket shall be closed.
Order No. PSC-17-0025-CO-EI
♦ Docket No:
160107
01/12/2017 - Consummating Order PSC-17-0025-CO-EI makes Order PSC-16-0571-PAA-EI effective and final; docket shall be closed.
Telecommunications Industry
Order No. PSC-16-0586-FOF-TC
♦ Docket No:
160230
12/30/2016 - Order PSC-16-0586-FOF-TC cancelling PATS Certificate No. 8802, effective 10/28/16; closes docket.
Water and Wastewater Industry
Order No. PSC-16-0583-PAA-WS
♦ Docket No:
150010
12/29/2016 - PAA Order PSC-16-0583-PAA-WS approving Aquarina's rates; and final order granting temporary rates in the event of a protest; if no protest, a CO will be issued; if CO issued, PAA Order will be final and effective; docket to be closed administratively on staff's verification that the outstanding Phase I pro forma items have been completed, the revised tariff sheets and customer notice have been filed by Aquarina and approved by staff; protest due 1/19/17.
Order No. PSC-16-0584-FOF-WU
♦ Docket No:
160130
12/29/2016 - Order PSC-16-0584-FOF-WU acknowledging transfer to a governmental authority and cancelling Certificate No. 644-W, effective 5/15/16; closes docket.
Order No. PSC-17-0014-CO-WS
♦ Docket No:
160005
01/04/2017 - Consummating Order PSC-17-0014-CO-WS makes Order PSC-16-0552-PAA-WS effective and final; docket shall be closed.
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