FPL Seeks Small Rate Reduction Before Request For Rate Hike Increase

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - Florida Power & Light has filed a request with the state which would lower your electric bill beginning in April.

FPL's request, which must be approved by the Florida Public Service Commission, is tied to a new Port Everglades power plant going online in April. If approved, the measure would trim $1.65 off the monthly bills of typical residential customers.

FPL said anticipated savings stem from greater fuel efficiency and lower natural gas prices.

Utilities typically use a benchmark of residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month, though actual usage varies widely. Such a customer's monthly bill now totals $93.38 a month and would go to $91.73 in April.

The requested decrease came after FPL last month notified state regulators that it will seek a four-year funding package that would raise base rates on typical monthly bills by about $8.50 starting in 2017, with the hike reaching $14 by 2020.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.