Duke Trims Proposed Bill Increases

With projected prices of natural gas dropping, Duke Energy Florida on Monday trimmed proposed bill increases that likely will hit customers in April. Duke made filings in January at the Public Service Commission seeking to recoup additional money from customers because of higher-than-expected gas prices in 2022 and hurricane-related costs. But in a filing Monday, Duke said lower projected gas prices in 2023 will help offset part of the proposed increases. “Duke Energy wanted to take immediate steps to provide cost relief for our customers,” Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, said in a prepared statement. “We understand some families are facing financial pressures and encourage anyone who needs assistance to reach out to us.” In addressing rates, utilities rely on a benchmark of residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month. Under Duke’s January filings, customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours a month would have seen their bills go from the current $165.55 to $199.04. But with the reductions made Monday, those bills would go from $165.55 to $190.56. The Public Service Commission is slated March 7 to take up proposed increases for Duke, Florida Power & Light and Tampa Electric Co. If approved, the increases would take effect in April.

Article reposted with permission from The News Service of Florida.