FPUC authorized to give Hurricane Michael victims interest-free financing on repairs
The Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) announced this week the approval of a program to offer interest-free financing for repairs or replacements for Florida Public Utilities Company (FPUC) customers.
The program, called the Electric Restoration Payment Program, focuses specifically on homes’ electrical equipment, like ground wires, meter boxes, riser conduits, service stacks, and attachment hardware. FPUC will advance as much as $1,500 interest-free to get a licensed electrician in there to fix any problems. Once concluded, the company will bill solely for the electricians’ services and a $20 administrative fee, spread out over a 12-month billing period.
“With Hurricane Michael’s extensive damage and subsequent economic impact, customers will be hard-pressed to pay for necessary electrical repairs to restore service to their homes,” PSC Chairman Art Graham said. “With our approval, customers can get the expedited repairs they need with payments over a reasonable time period.”
To date, the FPUC estimates that as much as 9 percent of its customers’ homes remain without power as a result of hurricane damage. A limited number of electricians in the hardest hit communities has only exacerbated the issue, and to that end, FPUC has found electricians outside the impact area willing to help with recovery.
