If you talk up "green" enough, everyone eventually bites the bullet. It's everyone's "turn on" color. And what better time to push for a rate increase for renewable energy development than now as gas prices keep rising. And what a worse time when we are trying to climb out of this economic recession.
Giving an estimated $4 million to political campaigns, FPL does not like the word "no." It has lobbied and now has come forth with a new renewable energy plan that the Public Service Commission likes. Compromises are on the table: FPL would have to prove to regulators that it will develop its renewable energy programs in a cost-effective manner; that its solar costs don’t get out of hand and are higher than other solar projects and that the new power plants will help diversify its fuel mix and reduce Florida's dependence on fossil fuels.
The PSC would impose the rate increase if FPL agrees to its stipulations– at about $206 million a year for the next five years which is approximately $2.40 a month for the average customer using 1,200 kilowatt hours a month. (Source: The Miami Herald).
The day of investing your own profits into your business is long past. The consumer pays and pays and FPL's Lewis Hay, CEO, makes $13,560,217.00 in total compensation. FPL will not reveal the salaries of its employees although a healthy percentage of rate increases go to support those salaries.
The Sun Sentinel reports that five utility companies in Florida want to charge $1.5 billion over the next 4 years to produce more renewable energy. It will be up to Rick Scott when the energy Bills, recently passed by the House and Senate, hit his desk.
No comments:
Post a Comment