Duke Energy Florida files projected storm recovery costs, sets rates
Duke Energy Florida today filed its projected Hurricane Idalia storm recovery costs with the Florida Public Service Commission this week.
At the same time, the firm also asked the commission to reduce the 2024 rate charged for previous storms, including hurricanes Eta, Isaias, Elsa, Ian and Nicole and Tropical Storm Fred.
With the Idalia storm recovery costs, combined with the request for reductions from the previous storms, a typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh will actually see a decrease in their January 2024 bill by $11.29, when compared to December 2023.
Further, commercial and industrial customers will see a decrease between 6.8 percent and 7.2 percent. If approved by the Florida Public Service Commission, the reduction would begin in January 2024.
“We will continue to explore ways to provide the best possible price for our customers while delivering the safe, reliable energy our customers rely on – no matter the circumstance,” Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, said.
Hurricane Idalia made landfall on the northwest coast of Florida on Aug. 30, causing severe flooding, damage, and widespread power outages that impacted more than 200,000 Duke Energy Florida customers.
With more than 5,000 lineworkers, tree professionals, damage assessors and support personnel were staged strategically throughout the state, crews restored power to 95 percent of Florida customers within 36 hours.
“While we hope this reduction will provide some relief to our customers, there will be many who continue to face financial hardship – whether from the destruction left by Idalia, the record-breaking heat or other external pressures,” Seixas said. “Regardless of the reasons, we encourage customers to reach out to us. We have numerous flexible billing and payment options, energy efficiency programs and assistance to help.”
