FPL Plans To Seek Nearly $2.5 Billion In Rate Increases Due To Customer Demands, Inflation
December 31, 2024
Florida Power & Light plans to seek new rate increases in 2025.
In a letter to the Public Service Commission, FPL President and CEO Armando Pimentel said FPL plans to ask for rate increases of about $1.55 billion in 2026 and $930 million in 2027 due to “significant growth in our customer base over the last few years” with a quarter million new accounts. He said the growth has required “significant capital to meet the needs of these additional customers by building transmission and distribution infrastructure, including poles, wires, transformers, substations and other components”.
Pimentel said the utility plans to seek unspecified increases in 2028 and 2029 “to allow FPL to recover the costs of building and operating additional cost-effective solar and battery projects”.
“The last four years were unlike any in our recent history. Over this period, we experienced meaningful and unanticipated increases in inflation and interest rates, which rose by 21% and over 180%, respectively,” Pimentel said in the letter. “This, combined with significant migration to Florida, presented new challenges for FPL to navigate.”
FPL estimates that its proposal, along with projections for fuel and other costs, will grow a typical residential customer bill by an average annual rate of approximately 2.5% from January 2025 through 2029.
“We know the bill our customers pay is important to them, which is why we work tirelessly to provide reliable power while keeping bills as low as possible. Even with the proposed increase, FPL bills will remain significantly below the national average and below many other Florida electric utilities,” Pimentel wrote in his letter to the PSC.
“While we know there is never a good time to request a rate increase, we need to continue to make smart investments in the grid and in new generation resources so we can continue to deliver reliable electricity, enhanced resiliency and diversify our generation mix to power our fast-growing state,” Pimentel said. “That is our never-ending commitment to our customers and that’s what this balanced plan does.”
Pictured: The Florida Power and Light First City Solar Energy Center near McDavid, online since 2023. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Warm Day To End 2024
December 31, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Becoming sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. North wind around 5 mph.
New Year’s Day: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
Here’s The New Year’s Closure And Trash Schedule You Need To Know
December 31, 2024
Escambia County
In observance of New Year’s, Escambia County offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Wednesday, Jan. 1::
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (all departments)
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Waste Services Administration and Perdido Landfill
- Escambia County Area Transit Administration
The Perdido Landfill will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Regular hours will resume Thursday, Jan. 2.
The Clerk’s Official Records, Finance, Treasury and Clerk to the Board offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 31. Clerk offices located at the MC Blanchard Judicial Building, Theodore Bruno Juvenile Justice Building, Public Records Center, and the Century Courthouse will be open. All Clerk offices will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1
ECAT Bus Schedule:
ECAT buses will run a modified schedule Tuesday, Dec. 31. The last bus will depart from ECAT at 5:30 p.m., and commuter route 60 will depart at 6 p.m. Service will not run Wednesday, Jan. 1. Regular service will resume Thursday, Jan. 2.
The UWF Express Trolley will resume service Saturday, Jan. 4, and the campus trolleys will resume service Monday, Jan. 6.
ECUA
Residential and commercial for New Year’s – Wednesday, Jan 1: Collection will be made on Thursday, Jan 2. Thursday’s collections will be on Friday, and Friday’s collections will be on Saturday. ECUA offices will be closed Jan 1. The customer service and walk-in payment areas only will also be closed on Dec. 31. All other ECUA officers and the drive-thru window will be open on Dec. 31.
Century
The Century Town Hall will be closed Wednesday, Jan 1. The regular Wednesday trash pick up will be delayed to Thursday, Jan 2.
Body Discovered At Former Dodge’s Store On Nine Mile Road
December 31, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a body was discovered Monday afternoon at a closed convenience store on Nine Mile Road.
ECSO said the body was found near the dumpsters at the former Dodge’s Southern Style convenience store on East Nine Mile Road.
Morgan Lewis, ECSO public information officer, said the body appeared to be that of a homeless individual. She said foul play was not suspected in the death.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Are Terrifying For Pets. Here Are Some Tips To Help.
December 31, 2024
New Year’s Eve fireworks can cause a great deal of stress for some pets.
Here are some quick tips from the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare:
- Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.
- Do not leave your pet in the car while you watch a fireworks display. A stressed animal can cause major damage to the interior of your car.
- Keep pets indoors. Turn on the TV or radio as a distraction and close the curtains.
- Never leave pets unattended outside, not even in a fenced yard or on a chain, if you are near a fireworks display or if your neighbors are lighting small fireworks. They may try to run away or become tangled up in their chain.
- Provide a pet bed or crate in a quiet place to create a small den-like atmosphere and a sense of security.
- If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
- Make sure your pet has proper identification tags with current information in case they run away.
- If your pet often becomes stressed during periods of loud noise like thunderstorms, check with your veterinarian to see if a tranquilizer is appropriate for your pet.
“Unlike people, pets don’t associate the noise, flashes and burning smell of fireworks with celebration,” said Animal Welfare Director John Robinson. “As a result, fireworks can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for some pets. We encourage you to also contact your veterinarian for additional solutions to pet anxiety. Following these tips will help keep your pets safe during the holiday.”
If your pet runs away, please check 24PetConnect.com under the “I Lost A Pet” section. The Animal Welfare and Adoption Center, located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive, is open Monday-Friday from 12-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed By Train In Cantonment
December 31, 2024
A male was struck and killed by a train Monday afternoon in Gonzalez.
The southbound train struck a pedestrian between Archer and Old Chemstrand roads about 4:20 p.m.
The train blocked the Old Chemstrand crossing after at came to a stop, causing traffic problems in the area.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and has not released further details.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
AAA ‘Tow to Go’ Active in Florida
December 31, 2024
AAA will work to help stranded motorists while also keeping impaired drivers off the road through its Two to Go program in Florida.
“If you’re faced with the decision of driving impaired, put down those keys and pick up the phone to call Tow to Go,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “AAA will then send a truck to take you and your vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius.”
AAA encourages drivers to plan ahead for a safe ride home by identifying a designated driver or ride sharing service before the party.
- Tow to Go is active through 6 a.m. in Thursday, January 2.
- For service, call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246.
- Available in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado (Denver), North Carolina (Charlotte), Indiana (Fort Wayne/South Bend).
‘Tow to Go’ Guidelines
- Free and available to AAA members and non-members.
- Confidential local ride for one person and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius.
- Appointments cannot be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. AAA says always choose a designated driver before celebrating.
- In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home.
- Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions.
Here’s The College Football Playoff, Bowl TV Schedule
December 31, 2024
Here is the college football bowl and playoff schedule.
Tuesday, Dec. 31
- No. 11 Alabama vs. Michigan (ReliaQuest Bowl) | 11 a.m. | ESPN
- Louisville vs. Washington (Sun Bowl) | 1 p.m. | CBS
- No. 15 South Carolina vs. No. 20 Illinois (Citrus Bowl) | 2 p.m. | ABC
- LSU vs. Baylor (Texas Bowl) | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
- No. 4 Penn State vs. No. 9 Boise State (College Football Playoff quarterfinals — Fiesta Bowl) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Wednesday, Jan. 1
- No. 3 Texas vs. No. 12 Arizona State (College Football Playoff quarterfinals — Peach Bowl) | 12 p.m. | ESPN
- No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 6 Ohio State (College Football Playoff quarterfinals — Rose Bowl) | 4 p.m. | ESPN
- No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 5 Notre Dame (College Football Playoff quarterfinals — Sugar Bowl) | 7:45 p.m. | ESPN
Thursday, Jan. 2
- No. 14 Ole Miss vs. Duke (Gator Bowl) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Friday, Jan. 3
- North Texas vs. Texas State (First Responder Bowl) | 3 p.m. | ESPN
- Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech (Duke’s Mayo Bowl) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Saturday, Jan. 4
- Liberty vs. Buffalo (Bahamas Bowl) | 10 a.m. | ESPN2
Sunday, Jan. 5
- North Central (IL) vs. Mount Union (Stagg Bowl for the DIII championship game in Houston) | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Monday, Jan. 6
- Montana State vs. North Dakota State (FCS championship game in Frisco, Texas) | 6 p.m. | ESPN
Thursday, Jan. 9
- TBD vs. TBD (College Football Playoff Semifinal Game — Orange Bowl) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Friday, Jan. 10
- TBD vs. TBD (College Football Playoff Semifinal Game — Cotton Bowl) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Monday, Jan. 20
- TBD vs. TBD (College Football Playoff National Championship Game — in Atlanta) | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Warning Light Leads To Navy Helicopter Landing At Molino Tom Thumb
December 31, 2024
A Navy helicopter made an unscheduled landing about 2:20 Monday afternoon in Molino due to a warning light.
There were no injuries when the TH-73A helicopter landed in an open grassy area behind the Tom Thumb at Highway 29 and Highway 97.
“It was a warning light and a precautionary landing,” Whiting Field’s Jamie Coffey said.
There was no damage to the aircraft.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Fire Rescue responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Regular Food Distribution Today At Carver Park In Cantonment
December 31, 2024
The regular Tuesday food distribution at Carver Park in Cantonment will not take place today.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee said there was no food available to them for distribution.
File photo.