Duke Energy Florida asked state regulators on Thursday to approve a rate increase of about 8.5 percent that would take effect in 2018, according to a release from the company.
The St. Petersburg-based utility's proposal, if approved by the state Public Service Commission, would require a residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month to pay $128.54 starting in January.
Duke said the proposed increase is primarily due to an increase in fuel costs, which would account for $7.14 of the increase per 1,000 kilowatt hours of use.
The commission is expected to hold hearings starting Oct. 25 on the company's fuel costs and other expenses tied to the proposed increase.
