Florida PSC approves DSM plans submitted by utilities
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved new Demand Side Management (DSM) plans and programs filed by Florida Power & Light Company, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Company, Gulf Power Company, and Florida Public Utilities Company.
The Commission rejected PSC staff’s recommendation to continue existing programs. The commissioners decided that the utilities’ new programs are projected to achieve conservation goals and have no adverse cost impact to customers.
“During the 2019 goal-setting procedure, we asked utilities for more robust, updated DSM programs, and they complied,” PSC Chairman Gary Clark said. “Overall, program costs will be slightly less for customers, so we found the utility programs to be in the public interest. The DSM process—conservation goals set in one proceeding and plans to meet them set in another—is 40 years old, and it’s time for an update. Today, we confirmed that staff will move forward with plans to consolidate and streamline the rule before the next goals proceeding.”
The Commission is required to set goals for each of the seven utilities subject to the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA) once every five years, at least. FEECA requires utilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency programs. The commissioners agreed that DSM is an effective conservation resource and should continue to help meet Florida’s future electric energy needs.
The PSC has already approved DSM plans for the Orlando Utilities Commission and JEA.
