Florida Public Service Commission Votes on Peoples Gas System Rates
State of Florida
NEWS RELEASE
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5/19/2009 Contact: 850-413-6482
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TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) voted today to approve only a portion of the Peoples Gas System (Peoples) requested rate increase. An average monthly gas bill for residential customers using 20 therms will increase $2.82, from $37.13 to $39.95. The new rates will take effect on June 18, 2009.
“We understand that money is tight for many Floridians right now,” said PSC Chairman Matthew M. Carter II. “The Commission carefully considered Peoples’ request to ensure that only reasonable and necessary costs are passed on to customers.”
In August 2008, Peoples filed a petition with the PSC for a $26.4 million permanent rate increase to cover increased operating costs. The Commission voted to reduce Peoples’ increase request by more than $7.3 million.
The PSC conducted customer hearings in Hollywood, Jacksonville, Orlando, Panama City, Port Charlotte, and Tampa to allow customer feedback about the company and the rate setting process. Customer comments become part of the official record and are considered by Commissioners when making a decision.
Peoples provides natural gas service to approximately 334,000 commercial, industrial, and residential customers in three regions. The South Region includes the Daytona Beach, Eustis, Orlando, Palm Beach, Southwest Florida, and Dade Broward divisions. The West Region includes the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Avon Park, and Sarasota divisions. The North Region includes the Jacksonville, Panama City, and Ocala divisions.
The PSC is committed to making sure that Florida’s consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
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