COMMENTARY
“Regulators, however, should ask why Irma did so much damage after FPL invested nearly $3 billion to harden the grid since the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons. In October 2005, Wilma cut power to 3.2 million of FPL’s then-4.3 million customers — or roughly 75 percent. FPL now has 4.9 million customers, and 4.4 million lost power after Irma — nearly 90 percent.”
SUN-SENTINEL EDITORIAL BOARD
More than a decade has passed since Florida Power & Light asked customers to pay all of the company’s costs from a big hurricane, but the scrutiny of this request should be just as thorough.
FPL wants the Public Service Commission to let it assess customers $1.3 billion for the cost of restoring power after Hurricane Irma. FPL spokesman David McDermitt said the number is preliminary. At that amount, the monthly increase for the average residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours would be $4, rising to $5.50, through 2020.
Indian River Guardian 