Some Central Florida residents may see an uptick on their energy bill soon. Duke Energy Florida has put in their request with the Florida Public Service Commission to set the electric rates for 2018. If it is approved, there may be an 8.5% increase. That could equate to a rate of $128.54 per 1,000 kilowatts per hour.
A Duke Energy release cited fuel costs, capacity, energy conservation and environmental costs as reasons for the hike. The only thing that may alter these plans is a recent settlement the company filed. That settlement calls for an investment of nearly $6 billion for things like solar energy and smart meters. There should be a decision made in December.
Even if the settlement passes, rates will still be raised to $123.90 per 1,000 kilowatts per hour. Customers currently pay $118.41 per 1,000 kWh.
Florida’s energy costs still lie under the national average of $132.20 per 1,000. In Central Florida, Duke Energy Florida provides electricity to 1.8 million customers.
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