electricity bills

After jettisoning a “counter proposal,” state regulators Monday waded into a rate case that could lead to Florida Power & Light customers paying billions of additional dollars in the coming years.

The state Office of Public Counsel, which is designated by law to represent utility customers, and allied consumer groups urged the Florida Public Service Commission this week to reconsider a decision that dismissed the counter proposal.

FPL quickly criticized the new proposal, which was filed Tuesday by the state Office of Public Counsel — an agency designated in law to represent consumers in utility issues — and four groups that are parties in the FPL case.

The developments late Friday afternoon added uncertainty to a closely watched case that has involved FPL seeking rate increases that would lead to customers paying billions of dollars in the coming years.

Florida Power & Light on Friday filed a proposal that would lead to higher electric bills for customers over the next four years, with the utility pointing to issues such as growth and a need to build more solar-energy facilities.

The funding is part of a nearly $3.7 billion allocation to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through next September.

In 2022, American consumers faced the highest electricity costs in more than 40 years, due to inflation, a rebounding economy and fuel-related repercussions from the Ukraine conflict.

FPL filed a petition at the state Public Service Commission that would trim increases proposed to take effect in April. FPL’s filing came two days after Duke Energy Florida filed a similar petition based on natural-gas prices.

State regulators Tuesday approved utility costs that will translate to higher electric bills in January for homeowners and businesses — and the pain won’t end there.

Inflation eased slightly in August thanks to falling gasoline prices, but the cost of many essentials continues to climb, including soaring power bills that are straining family budgets.

Florida Power & Light filed a petition at the state Public Service Commission that detailed expected costs in 2023. If the commission approves the proposal, it would result in higher monthly bills in 2023.

Unpaid electric bills ballooned during the pandemic to more than $27 billion, and many now face the risk of having their power shut off.