Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers published “letter to the editor” from Florida Power & Light President & CEO Eric Silagy
Editors note: In the just concluded Vero Beach municipal election, FPL contributed $9,000 of the $18,100 raised by The Alliance for Better Florida Communities, and electioneering communications organization that mailed out post cards supporting Harry Howle, III, Pilar Turner and Charlie Wilson. The Alliance’s post cards greatly exaggerated the savings Vero Beach residents would see on their electric bills if the city’s electric utility is sold to FPL. Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers Publisher Bob Brunjes is married to a key FPL vice president involved in the company’s attempt to acquire Vero Electric. FLP is also a major Scripps advertiser.
Eric Silagy, Juno Beach
Letter: FPL rates are going down again
It may be counterintuitive, but it’s true: FPL rates are lower today than they were five years ago — and, in January, they will be decreasing again.
While the costs of many goods and services continue to rise, our typical customer bills are down about 7 percent versus 2009, saving homeowners and businesses month after month. For a typical residential customer, this translates to about $90 in savings this year compared with 2009 rates.
Moreover, FPL customers pay far lower electric rates than the state and national averages. FPL’s typical customer bill continues to be about 25 percent lower than the national average and the lowest of all electric utilities in Florida.
Beginning in January 2015, FPL rates will decrease further. FPL’s typical residential customer will see a decrease of about $2 per month, compared with current rates. FPL business customers will also see a decrease of roughly 1 percent, depending on rate class and type of service.
By making smart, customer-focused investments in more efficient power plants and technology FPL is saving customers money, big money. We have significantly improved the fuel efficiency of our system, enabling us to convert older, oil-fired power plants into clean, fuel-efficient energy centers that run on U.S.-produced natural gas. In fact, since 2001, we have cut our use of foreign oil by 99 percent and, through more efficient use of fuel, saved our customers more than $6.8 billion in fuel costs. That’s $6.8 billion that stayed in customers’ pockets and Florida’s economy. We have also made smart investments in zero-emissions nuclear and solar power, helping us to not only be more affordable than the national average, but also a whole lot cleaner.
Some have wrongly asserted that utilities only care about rate increases and fossil fuel. We’re proud to prove them wrong every day.
Eric Silagy is president & CEO of Florida Power & Light.
Indian River Guardian 
Since I no longer subscribe to that “rag” of a one sided so called news paper, ( it’s reporting still leaves a sour feeling in my stomach ), I wonder if this city will ever receive a proper apology from anyone in FPL for dividing this community as it has by reporting false numbers on utility usage,bills and savings? I don’t expect one as we never received one from Glenn Heran, Stephen Feherty, Bob Solari, Charlie Wilson, and our again elected councilwoman Pilar Turner for throwing false numbers and false monetary gains by selling to FPL…going from $154 million to $90 million and then sharing a $54 million cost to FMPA to get out of the electric business. So if we could ( key word COULD ) get out of contracts and sell the electric system, what year would we start reaping these $90.00 a year ( and now with a new $2.00 a month savings from FPL ) $102.00 a year savings? They have managed to make sure that the ratepayers would not see any money until well after the present contracts are ended by hiring $500.00 an hour attorneys that acomplished NOTHING, and now Ms. Turner joins the county and the Shores in a lawsuit against the very people who just put her back into office ( you can’t change stupid). The ratepayers will be on the hook far longer now than if we would have just left the contracts to expire…IMO. Let’s get to lowering the bills…and maybe by the end of these contracts the ratepayers will have a little relief.
Thanks to the voters of Vero. Once again we have made our statement in this council race by telling the outside money people that we don’t want their presence. Our new council has the “Lone Ranger”… she rides again
Definitely this letter from FPL person is nothing more than Public Relations/free advertising. Thank you, Inside Vero, for sharing this with us. We stopped taking PJ at least 2 years ago – and refuse to pay for TCPalm on line. And thank you, Linda Hillman, for saying so well what many of us are thinking – but are too tired even to type.
We had been subscribers to the Press Journal for nearly 40 years. Lately though the news for Indian River County just wasn’t there, so cancelled. I use the money to visit the grandchild and get my nails done.
I see ads for FPL all the time either on TV or print. What is the purpose? If they don’t serve your area you can’t call up and get it.
OK, OK, OK we all know their rates are lower, but one thing we can at least do is to reward those who are replacing appliances and air conditioners with energy compliant units. This is rewarded by rebates from the “Powerhouse” FP&L with generous rebates! Vero can do the same. I would have saved $1200 alone for the air conditioner. As far as the 30% difference in rates, see what you can do to help the situation, I have faith in the City to do something about it.
I agree with Larry that both FP&L and COVB should offer rebates for the purchase of energy efficient applicances. Such a program would be particularly useful to our friends and neighbors who are senior citizens. No one should be forced to sell their home because they are not able to pay high energy costs.
I have a question. Wasn’t it told to the covb customers by the pro-salers that big blue was a dinosaur, and yet here it is FPL is using natural gas? The City of Vero Beach’s power grid has been on natural gas since its plant was built to run on it in 1960.