Utilities

They spoke in favor of park and residential utility protections, along with changes to the state's citizens' initiative process.

The Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues, filed a notice that it was appealing regulators' approval of the increases, as did the groups Florida Rising and LULAC Florida.

Florida Rising and LULAC Florida filed notices that they were appealing the Public Service Commission's rate approval to the Florida Supreme Court.

Staff members of the Florida Public Service Commission recommended proposals that would add about $21 a month for Duke customers and $30 for TECO customers starting in March.

Backers say they’re concerned about residents who live outside city limits but are customers of the city’s utilities.

A portion of a supplemental water main fell to the bottom of Anna Maria Sound. It could takes weeks to complete the repairs.

Bills will go up for many customers of Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric, FPL and Florida Public Utilities. They likely will increase again in the spring because of high costs of natural gas used to fuel power plants.

New documents show how one of the largest companies in Florida secretly worked against political opponents. Power giant Florida Power and Light said it is confident it did nothing illegal in trying to shape public policy and press coverage.

Money for the program came from $1.4 billion allocated to Florida by the U.S. Department of the Treasury last year.

Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Co. filed the proposals in order to add underground power lines and reduce outage threats from trees and other vegetation.

Environmental advocates are asking for a veto on one of the bills, but are breathing easier after another preemption bill was gutted.

Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner is rolling out a new program to help reduce energy bills for low-income families. Commissioner Nikki Fried says these families often pay higher bills due to having older appliances or older homes.