Regulators Urged to Approve FPL Utility Purchase

The state Public Service Commission should give key approvals to a long-discussed plan by Florida Power & Light to purchase the city of Vero Beach’s utility system, according to recommendations issued Friday by commission staff members.

The commission is slated to take up the $185 million purchase on Nov. 27. The staff, in a 26-page document, recommended approval of a series of issues, including FPL’s request to charge its rates to Vero Beach customers after the deal is completed.

Among other issues is approval of ending what is known as a “territorial agreement” that has divided up customers between the Vero Beach utility and FPL. Vero Beach has provided service for decades in some unincorporated areas of the county, with FPL serving surrounding areas. But with the planned deal, FPL would provide electricity to all of the areas through elimination of the territorial agreement. FPL says the deal will lead to lower electric bills for customers of the Vero Beach utility. The Public Service Commission in June gave approvals for the deal, but challenges were later filed. That led to the commission holding a hearing in October.

Reposted with permission from The News Service of Florida