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PSC Holds Meeting On Gulf Power Rate Increase
September 16, 2011
The Florida Public Service Commission held a public hearing in Pensacola Thursday before considering another rate hike for Gulf Power.
Gulf Power was granted a four percent interim rate increase that begins appearing on customer’’s electric bills this month. Under the interim increase, Gulf Power residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours a month will see their bills go from $122.67 to $127.16. Utilities commonly use 1,000 kilowatt hours as a measuring stick, but many homes use more electricity than that each month.
If the permanent rate hike is approved, those same residential customers would see their monthly bills increase to $134.82, according to Gulf Power. The total increase would amount to about $146 per year for the 1,000 kilowatt hour per month customer.
Gulf Power, which serves 431,000 customers in eight counties, has not received a base-rate increase in nearly a decade. Base rates pay for many day-to-day operations of utilities, but customers also face other charges for expenses such as power-plant fuel.
The company contends that it needs to increase base rates, at least in part, because of the costs of adding power lines and other types of infrastructure.
Comments
10 Responses to “PSC Holds Meeting On Gulf Power Rate Increase”
REGARDING:
“Why doesn’t gulf power use solar energy and pass savings onto the consumers?”
Probably because solar power is more expensive than the current source of power generation. Sunlight will remain free until the government decides to tax it, but converting it to electrical power at midnight on cloudy weeks is NOT free, nor is it cheap, nor is it reliable.
David for solar power satellites
Why doesn’t gulf power use solar energy and pass savings onto the consumers?
REGARDING:
“How are the people on fixed incomes going to pay higher bills”
Use less power.
I say that jokingly, but the fact is that as prices go up, people find ways to use less of any expensive item, including power — less heating, less cooling, fewer lights on, better insulation, fire the butler, shut down the pool. People will do it as they have to pay more. ( I fired my butler before I ever had one, shut down my pool before it ever existed.)
David considering facts
well, SOMEBODY has to pay for buying the employees houses when they move to a different job in the Company…they always make them move…not to mention all the big screen tv’s given away at company Christmas…oops…Holiday Parties…and all the advertising about how wonderful they are…
In many ways…GP is run like a social program…and not real industry…
but there ARE many great folks who work there.
How are the people on fixed incomes going to pay higher bills…..Do I pay my power bill this month or do I get my meds. this month???
Perhaps it is time to consider replacing the members of the Public Service Commission. I wonder what thier annual salaries cost Gulf power and the public?
Perhaps the public needs to be aware that Gulf Power had record breaking profits this past year. Just saying…. why do they need to increase the rates for customers?
If you don’t want higher power bills, email, write, or call the PSC and tell them!! If you complain and do nothing to let them know how you feel you are complainging to the wind!
It’s a done deal and our rates are going up, and this is nothing more than a dog and pony show to so that the government “looked” into to it.
Why hold meetings? The PSC has been bought by GP and their rate increase will be approved. Sure hope GP can hire more spokes people and keep their profit margin up. Don,t you feel sorry for this monoply?