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Complaints About Progress Energy Increase After Rate Hike

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Progress Energy serves 1.7 million customers in 35 Florida counties

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By YOLANDA FERNANDEZ | News Channel 8

Published: February 5, 2009

Homeowner Michael Martin says a 25 percent increase in his Progress Energy bills will hit him hard. He says the electricity bill for his 1,500-square-foot home could increase $75 to $150 a month, depending on how much he uses.

Martin says he has sent about a dozen protest emails to the Florida Public Service Commission and state legislators.

The Florida Public Service Commission reports substantial consumer response to the rate hike, which took effect last month. In 2008, the agency received one complaint against Progress Energy. In January, it received 867 complaints.

The energy company's rate hike stems from a 14 percent increase in fuel recovery costs and an 11 percent hike for pre-construction costs for a planned nuclear power plant in Levy County. The $17 billion plant is scheduled to go online in 2016.

"If I was a stockholder I'd be quite interested in building a new power plant," Martin says. "As a consumer I don't feel that I should buy milk from a cow that hasn't been born yet," said Martin.

A customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours would see their bill go from about $111 to about $138.

Progress Energy serves 1.7 million customers in 35 Florida counties.

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, says he is writing a bill to offer his constituents relief. The bill would lower the rate increase and spread it over a longer time period. He says he plans to file it for the regular legislative session in March.

Martin says he already has invested in fuel efficient windows and light bulbs, cut back on use of his pool pump and adjusted his thermostat. "Short of going back to candles and coal lanterns, what are we going to do?" he said.

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