FPL rate hike plans spark debate ahead of hearing

It’s a higher price that not many look forward to paying. Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25The proposed rate increase by Florida Power and Light would mean customers would pay more on their bills through 2029. “My air conditioner runs all day, so it’s not bad, but I don’t want the rate to go up,” said FPL customer Jackie McConnell. The proposed rate hike would mean the average person who uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month and pays about $134 would see an increase of more than $17. FPL said the higher rate is needed to deliver reliable services and to meet the demand of Florida’s growing population. The utility company also said that bills would remain below the national average despite the hike. “They should hold off on the rate hike,” said FPL customer Shawn Bass. “I can understand they’re doing infrastructure, but there are a lot of people struggling right now with the price of food and just basic needs besides energy.”Groups like AARP have also pushed back against FPL’s proposed plan.”This excessive rate hike unfairly burdens households, especially low-income seniors or those on fixed incomes,” AARP Florida state director Jeff Johnson said. “People will pay higher monthly bills for the same amount of power.”More input is expected at Thursday night’s customer hearing held by state public service leaders at the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County in West Palm Beach. The State Public Service Commission must approve the proposed rate hike before any changes can be made. Top Stories:New Tips Emerge in 41-Year-Old Disappearance of Christy LunaPort St. Lucie man arrested after road rage shooting incident”All of a sudden, he started firing”: Jupiter golfer recalls being shot at multiple timesFlorida Panthers defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 to win a trip to the Stanley Cup FinalGet the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.