Tampa Bay Times: FPL rate hike would double-charge customers to pad profits, filings say

FPL rate hike would double-charge customers to pad profits, filings say Company shareholders would make the highest rate of profit in the nation, according to opponents. https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2025/07/24/florida-power-light-fpl-bill-increase-rate-hike-profit/  Florida Power & Light’s rate hike request includes a rate of shareholder profit that would be the highest in the nation, opposing lawyers wrote. The photo depicts one of the company’s nuclear power plants. [ D.A. VARELA | Miami Herald ] By Emily L. MahoneyTimes staff If state utility regulators approve Florida Power & Light’s request to hike base rates by more than $9.8 billion over four years, it would mean charging Floridians billions more than necessary solely to fund soaring shareholder profits, the state consumer advocate wrote in filings to utility regulators. The company’s requested range for its rate of return has a midpoint of 11.9%, which would be the highest for any electric utility in the nation, lawyers opposing the hike said. In comparison, Tampa Electric shareholders earn a midpoint of 10.5% while Duke Energy Florida’s get 10.3%. Both are higher than the national average. But if its rate hike request is approved in full, Florida Power & Light’s shareholders could actually earn more at the expense of customers. According to the Legislature-appointed consumer advocate, called the public counsel, the company is also proposing a first-of-its-kind mechanism to double-charge customers to cover its federal taxes, allowing the company to max out its profits at the top of its range at 12.9%. When authorizing shareholder profits, utility regulators permit companies to earn a rate within a two-percentage-point range, expecting actual returns to hover near the middle. For the past four years, though, Florida Power & Light has already been...
What Energy Emergency?

What Energy Emergency?

One of the first moves President Trump made in his second term was to declare a “National Energy Emergency.” This executive order leans heavily on the claim that the previous administration shut down U.S. fossil fuel production and left America dependent on foreign energy. But that narrative simply isn’t true. In reality, over the past four years, U.S. crude oil production soared to a record-breaking 13 million barrels per day — the highest ever, surpassing even Saudi Arabia. Natural gas production is also at an all-time high, with the U.S. leading the world by producing 41.2 million cubic feet in 2023 alone. So why declare an energy emergency when the country is producing more energy than ever? This move takes us into a confusing and dangerous place where “up” is “down” and “shortage” means “abundance.” The consequences of this declaration are unfolding quickly. The Department of Interior has announced new permitting rules that aim to sidestep key environmental protections, like the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Public lands—places many Americans treasure for outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and hiking—are suddenly up for grabs for more oil and gas drilling. Beyond public lands, this order could even threaten private property rights by encouraging federal agencies to use eminent domain to force landowners to give up property for energy development. At a time when U.S. oil production is at historic highs and oil companies are already profiting handsomely, this raises serious concerns about fairness and property rights. But the bigger issue is this: Energy markets don’t respond to political orders. They respond to geology and economics. U.S....
From Waste to Opportunity: How Reducing Methane Emissions is Fueling Jobs and Innovation

From Waste to Opportunity: How Reducing Methane Emissions is Fueling Jobs and Innovation

At Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship (CRS), we are firm believers in the old adage: waste not, want not. To that end, we have been advocating for standards that reduce the amount of natural gas (methane) we lose through leaks, shoddy maintenance, unnecessary flaring, etc. And as we work to reduce methane waste and pollution, we are witnessing just how conservation and economic prosperity go hand in hand. Not only does this work conserve a valuable energy resource, but it is spurring job growth and economic opportunity. A new analysis by Datu Research shows just how a costly waste problem has spawned a growing industry that is creating jobs, strengthening local economies, and reducing natural gas waste. This ensures that our energy production is cleaner and more efficient. A Booming Industry The methane mitigation industry is rapidly expanding, creating high-quality jobs and driving innovation in emissions-reducing technology. This growth isn’t accidental—it’s fueled by smart policies that provide regulatory certainty, allowing businesses to develop cost-effective solutions. States like Texas, California, and Colorado are leading the way, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and economic opportunity go hand in hand. Datu Research’s latest findings highlight the rapid expansion of methane mitigation: • The number of methane mitigation firms has jumped 23.7% since 2021, reaching 268 companies. • Employee locations have grown by 39%, totaling 1,040 nationwide. • Texas is the industry’s epicenter, home to 291 company locations—28% of the national total. • California and Colorado remain at the forefront of innovation, with 87 and 74 locations, respectively. • Leak detection and measurement technology leads the sector, with 55 companies producing these tools. • Demand...
Pollinator Power: Their Importance and How We Can Support Them

Pollinator Power: Their Importance and How We Can Support Them

Have you ever stopped to think about how much we owe to the tiny creatures flying around our gardens? Bees, butterflies, bats and birds are unsung heroes of our ecosystems, playing a vital role in pollination. This process is essential for producing the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we love. Understanding why pollinators are essential and discovering ways to protect them can help us do our part to ensure a healthier planet. Why Pollinators Matter Pollinators are like nature’s matchmakers, helping plants reproduce by transferring pollen from one flower to another. This might sound simple, but it’s a big deal! Over 75% of the world’s flowering plants and about one-third of our food supply depend on pollinators. Imagine a world without apples, almonds, blueberries, or cucumbers—that’s what we’re facing if we don’t protect these little helpers. And the damage to our agriculture industry and our economy as a whole would be enormous. Why Pollinators are in Trouble Sadly, our pollinator populations are declining at a rapid rate. The American Bumblebee, for example, has vanished from eight states and is in serious decline elsewhere.  The Monarch Butterfly population has declined almost 60%, and the list goes on. The threats facing pollinators include: Habitat Loss: Urban sprawl, agriculture, and deforestation are shrinking the natural homes of pollinators. Pesticides: These chemicals, which are used widely in agriculture, by pest control companies, and by homeowners, are deadly to pollinators—especially if applied around flowering plants—either killing them outright or harming their ability to forage and reproduce. Climate Change: Shifting temperatures and weather patterns disrupt the delicate balance of pollinators’ life cycles and the plants they...
Rigged game of Monopoly robbing Nevada utility customers

Rigged game of Monopoly robbing Nevada utility customers

    If you’ve noticed your utility bills skyrocketing, you’re not alone. Gas and electric bills across the state have been rising at an unprecedented rate over the past several years. And while some of this has been due to natural gas prices and hotter weather, most of it is because big monopoly utilities like NV Energy and Southwest Gas are being allowed to game the system. Here in Nevada, the Public Utility Commission is supposed to provide a check on utility rates, and to balance customer and utility interests. Instead, the PUC is letting these monopolies run wild with one record-breaking rate hike after another. In April, the PUC approved a record $59 million rate increase for Southwest Gas, which is $20 million higher than its previous record hike in 2020. This is despite Southwest Gas reporting a first-quarter net income ($98.5 million) that is more than double that of its first quarter in 2023 ($45.9 million), and a record 12-month operating margin of $1.3 billion. The hike also comes as SWG customers were already reeling from other recent SWG hikes. Even before this latest hike, customers reported their gas bills shooting up more than 300% in a single month. Utilities in Nevada are allowed to make rate adjustments every three months, and those are in addition to the hikes from general rate cases. While average Nevadans are getting hammered by higher and higher gas bills, Southwest Gas officers and shareholders — most of who reside outside of Nevada — are getting richer and richer. And it’s more than just Southwest Gas that keeps bellying up to the PUC...

Pin It on Pinterest