BY MARY ELLEN KLAS
HERALT/TIME TALLAHASSEE BUREAU
TALLAHASSEE — When the federal government issued new air quality guidelines in 2010 to protect the elderly, children, and people with asthma from nitrogen oxide emissions, Florida Power & Light took notice.
The 48 gas turbines that the company uses to fire up quickly during peak demand rely on 1970s-era technology. Although the company touts a record of having power plants that are “67 percent cleaner than the national average,” it also acknowledges that these older so-called “peaker” plants emit some of the most toxic pollutants.
In order to comply with the new standard, FPL decided it was time to replace all of its peak demand turbines between now and 2016 and, in June, it proposed a $822 million project. The costs would be borne by customers based on a monthly fee – FPL estimates it is less than 75-cents a month for customers that use 1,000 kilowatt hours – and added to the portion of the bill used to comply with environmental regulations. Continue reading
Indian River Guardian 
It is only the beginning. Wait until FP&L gets hold of Vero Beach’s electric customers ; I think many will not be happy with the increased costs once FP&L takes over.
Approximately 30,000 new customers (Vero area) would certainly help make any increases in FPL’s monthly statements more palatable. But a little extra here, a little extra there begins to make us take notice and complain to FPL. Will they turn away from us and pretend they do not hear? We cannot stand at their meetings and make our position clear.
I would rather be able to complain about electric increases to the local Vero Electric . Complaining to FP&L will not that easy , it is too big and impersonal .. .