Florida Lighting & Power ordered to lower energy use significantly
Florida Power & Light will be required to lower its energy use by 3,082 gigawatt-hours by 2019 -- more than three times the amount the utility had proposed.
The Public Service Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to require higher goals for all of Florida's major utilities. To achieve those goals, the utilities will have to consider providing discounts for measures such as compact fluorescent light bulbs. Florida utilities have opposed rebates for energy-saving programs that pay for themselves within two years because customers arguably don't need incentives for them.
FPL, the state's largest utility, will have to spend more than $15 million a year to provide rebates to consumers who install solar water heating appliances to their homes, which will cost typical customers about 18 cents a month.
FPL spokesman Mayco Villafana said the new goals are "very aggressive."
12/14/2009