COMMENTARY
“PSC approval of Vero Electric’s rates would take much of the hot air out of the complaint that the city’s rates are unreasonable. Because that development would not serve the interests and objectives FPL and its local operatives and allies, including the members of the Shores Town Council, Turner may not support submitting Vero Electric’s rates to the PSC.”
MARK SCHUMANN
Following and perhaps in response to the Indian River Shores Town Council’s threat to claim for itself rate setting authority, Vero Beach officials are consider submitting Vero Electric’s rates to review and approval by the Florida Public Service Commission.
In a draft letter circulated yesterday to member of the city council, City Manager Jim O’Connor contends that the move could avoid lengthly and costly litigation between Vero Beach and Indian River Shores.
One common complaint leveled by Shores leaders is that the city’s rate are both unregulated and unreasonable. Will the Shores go along with O’Connor proposal? Not if they hold to their assertion that the only reasonable electric rates are those charged by Florida Power & Light.
The PSC regulates six investor-owned utilities, and has approved for five of them rates higher than those now charged by FPL. In fact, for three investor-owned utilities, the PSC has approved rates some 10 percent higher than those now charged by Vero Electric. If the only resolution acceptable to Shores leaders would be for Vero Electric to charge Town residents rates comparable with FPL’s, then they will almost surely be disappointed by a PSC review of the city’s rates.
If O’Connor’s proposal comes up at this evening’s city council meeting, it will be interesting to hear what Councilwoman Pilar Turner has to say about it. PSC approval of Vero Electric’s rates would take much of the hot air out of the complaint that the city’s rates are unreasonable. Because that development would not serve the interests and objectives FPL and its local operatives and allies, including the members of the Shores Town Council, Turner may not support submitting Vero Electric’s rates to the PSC.
Indian River Guardian 
Sounds like a great idea to resolve this issue and save a lot of taxpayer money.
Why keep putting the “spin” on how fair Vero’s electric rates are, I really don’t care who endorses them, I just know that I am paying between 30-40% more using Vero than FP&L. That is not counting the money I lost on the three new air conditioners I just bought which amounts to a cool $3000.00! Mark, I love what you have done with “In Side Vero” but now you are beginning to sound like the GOP debates in thinking everyone has to believe what is publicly said or printed. This is the real world, and all of us with Vero Electric are the real losers. How did this happen and why isn’t the truth being brought to the surface?