Florida Power & Light Requests Rate Increase to Recover Hurricane Restoration Costs
Florida Power & Light (FPL) has filed a proposal to raise rates, aiming to recover nearly $1.2 billion spent on power restoration efforts following Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. These storms, which hit various regions of Florida this hurricane season, caused significant damage to the state’s electrical infrastructure, necessitating extensive and immediate repair operations.
In its proposal, FPL outlines the unprecedented scale of the recovery, detailing costs associated with repairs to transmission lines, substations, and distribution systems. The utility giant reported that hundreds of thousands of customers experienced outages, many of which required immediate intervention to restore power safely and effectively.
To cover these costs, FPL is proposing a temporary rate increase, which would apply across all customer classes. The proposal now awaits review by the Florida Public Service Commission, which will evaluate the necessity and scale of the increase, balancing the financial health of FPL with the impact on ratepayers.
FPL’s request marks a continuation of a common industry practice in which utility companies seek to recover unexpected operational costs through rate adjustments. If approved, the increase would likely take effect in the upcoming year, aiming to help FPL stabilize its finances after this season’s record-setting storm damage and to ensure ongoing investments in Florida’s energy infrastructure.