Public counsel, groups opposing Florida rate hike settlement file their own deal

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — The Florida Office of Public Counsel and other groups against a proposed Florida Power & Light rate case settlement filed their own proposal Tuesday with the state Public Service Commission.

Details: The proposed settlement, which includes energy justice groups and Floridians Against Increased Rates, would reduce FPL’s $2.5 billion rate hike request by nearly half, according to Bradley Marshall of the Earthjustice law firm, which signed on to the new deal.

An FPL spokesperson said the utility had rejected the proposal and dismissed it as having no legal authority.

“What the OPC has filed involves three parties who are already aligned, which is like settling with yourself,” spokesperson Andrew Sutton said.