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...
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....
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...
David Jenkins, president of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, is featured in an op-ed published in The Invading Sea titled Here’s why FPL, Duke and TECO want the Public Service Commission to raise your power bills. The piece looks at a request from Florida’s largest utilities asking state regulators to approve higher electricity rates. It explains how companies like Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, and Tampa Electric rely heavily on natural gas and other fossil fuels, which are tied to volatile global markets. When fuel prices rise, those costs are passed directly through to customers’ monthly bills. The op-ed also points to the role of aging power plants and long-term infrastructure costs, which utilities recover through rate increases approved by the Public Service Commission. The result, according to the piece, is that many of these underlying costs ultimately show up in what households pay each month for electricity. Read the full op-ed here:...
