Statement By: Amy Zubaly, Regarding Passage of HB 1239

“One of the strongest advantages of municipally owned electric utilities is that we are closely connected to our customers and intertwined in the communities we serve. The experience of the last year, and the challenges that were highlighted, showed that dependable high speed internet connectivity for distance learning, telehealth, and work-from-home scenarios was as critical to our daily lives as the reliable electric service our members provide.

Florida’s public power utilities fully support the goal of ensuring all Floridians have access to high-speed internet service. And, we want to assist in achieving this goal for our customers and to further serve our communities.

To demonstrate our firm commitment to increasing access to broadband for our customers, we have worked with the Speaker of the House and Senate President this legislative session, and Florida’s municipal electric utilities are proud to offer an incentive rate of $1 per attachment (far below actual costs) to any broadband provider that will bring high-speed internet services to any of our unserved or underserved customers.

We look forward to partnering with providers to make an impact in the 33 communities served by public power in Florida.”