By Sid Riley
Shocked customers will see over 30% increase in January bills due to action taken by Florida Public Service Commission.
As expected, the Public Service Commission “rubber stamped” the requested 43% rate increase that was submitted by Florida Public Utilities in October of 2007. This giant increase has been put into effect, occurring in the first billings sent to Jackson County customers in January.
The utility justified this rate increase on the fact that their long term contract with their energy provider, Gulf Power, has expired and they are now going to be paying significantly more for their supply.
One customer compared their total bill per kilowatt hour in January of 2007 to the charges on this month’s bill and found the difference to be a whopping 55% increase!!
This computation would include all involved fees, surcharges, and taxes as well as earlier increases granted to the utility during 2007. Most customers are finding this month’s charges to be record setting.
The net impact will be forced increases for goods and services from retail businesses, and reduced disposable incomes for residential customers.
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