Jose Javier Rodríguez, a Democratic candidate for Florida attorney general, held a Miami news conference Thursday to protest Florida Power & Light's proposed rate hike — one of the largest in U.S. history.
"Tallahassee gives FPL whatever they want. FPL gets a blank check whenever they ask, and now they want even higher guaranteed profits and massive cost increases," said Rodríguez.
Miami residents said skyrocketing utility bills are already putting a major dent in family budgets and are hurting small businesses.
ALSO READ: Florida utility regulators nix 'counter proposal' in FPL rate case
Next month, the Public Service Commission, which sets utility rates, begins what could be a lengthy two-week hearing on FPL's proposed rate hike. 6. A final decision is expected later this fall.
FPL filed an initial proposal last February totaling $9.8 billion but scaled it back in a proposed settlement filed Aug. 20. Its latest proposal could lead to cumulative increases in electricity rates over four years of $6.9 billion.
ALSO READ: FPL says proposed base-rate increases will provide stability while critics call it 'extravagant'
The Office of Public Counsel, which represent consumers, along with other groups countered with a $5.2 billion proposal.
Even the lower proposed rate hike is among the largest utility hikes in U.S. history and it's FPL's third rate hike since 2021.
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