Progress Energy requesting rate hike

The Florida Public Service Commission has scheduled a hearing for 1:00PM Thursday, July 30, 2009, at the Battery Park Community Center in Apalachicola to gather public input on a petition for a rate increase by Progress Energy.

The power company has asked the Public Service Commission (PSC) for consent to increase their base service rates collectively by $499 million a year, if approved that would mean a $14.18 per month increase to each power customer for every 1,000-kilowatt hour of electricity used.

The purpose of the hearing is to take testimony from the public on the quality and adequacy of Progress Energy’s service and other matters related to the power company’s petition for the rate increase.

The procedure at the hearing shall be as follows:

Progress Energy will present a brief summary of their case and then members of the public may present testimony. Members of the public who wish to present testimony are urged to appear promptly at the scheduled hearing time since the hearing may be adjourned early if no witnesses are present to testify. All witnesses shall be subject to cross-examination at the conclusion of their testimony. One or more of the Commissioners of the Florida Public Service Commission may attend and participate in the meeting.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this all-important meeting, for more information contact the Florida Public Service Commission, Office of Commission Clerk, at 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850.