Friday, April 1, 2011

Jeff Clemens votes to Raise Utility Rates

Comment Up
Although previously reported on March 29, Jeff Clemens needs more publicity on his recent vote and I am obliged to give it to him.

HOUSE
Submitted as Committee Bill by Energy & Utilities Subcommittee; 15 Yeas, 0 Nays--3/29/11

Based on 2010 retail revenues, the bill would allow FPL to recover up to $206 million annually, and TECO $43 million, to produce or purchase renewable energy. This would allow investor-owned utilities to raise rates by 2% to recover costs for renewable energy projects. Nothing wrong with renewable energy but when the economy is flat broke, people are unemployed and hanging on by a thread, is this the time to raise rates?

Text of ENUS 11-01.

This is NO April Fool's Joke. Many of his constituents will have larger utility bills.

8 comments:

Steve said...

How is that different from raising water rates every year to pay for the RO plant?

Anonymous said...

Jeff is just playing "jeff." He will not do anything that might hurt his political, upward career.

Lynn Anderson said...

Steve- Rates would have been raised regardless of the RO or PB County Water which was proven to be MORE expensive. We HAVE to have water. We do not HAVE to have a public company given more money for renewable energy off the backs of the rate payers with a CEO making over $11 million a year.

Anonymous said...

Jeff will do what ever is good for Jeff.

P.M.M. said...

Then how is it any different from the City of Lake Worth adding a conservation fee to everyones electric bill. Most houses that could use the audit the fee provides are occupied by residents who can barely afford to live there let alone upgrade their a/c, windows or water heater.This is a fee or tax if you please on the backs of tax payers.

Lynn Anderson said...

This blog is about Jeff Clemens, not the conservation fee. This is about the wealthiest employer in the State of Florida given a rate increase, not poor people who have no idea how to conserve thus saving on their utility bills. This is not about LW.

I have always questioned the wisdom of even instigating that dept. and spending $1 mil and now up by several thousands. It is an immediate savings of approx $1.4 mil right now if that department was eliminated.

Anonymous said...

Obviously there's no answer why it's o.k. for the city commissioners to raise water rates by 80% over the next five years in a poor city but a 2% increase is catastrophic. It's alot easier to conserve electric than water.
rah rah sis boom bah. What a cheerleader!

Lynn Anderson said...

Ok--whatever you want to think about it. Be as sarcastic as you wish.

We MUST HAVE A WATER SOURCE and it must be paid. FPL does not need an increase now for renewable energy exploration. You are comparing apples to oranges.

Sure hope you are not running for office. Reveal yourself.