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One Florida Electricity Utility Saved $375 Million In Fuel Costs Last Year By Investing In Solar
August 25, 2023
Florida Power & Light, the largest electric utility in Florida, saved $375 million in fuel costs in 2022 by investing in solar. They also announced plans to reduce customer charges by close to the same amount.
Political donations in exchange for higher interest rates?
August 18, 2023
Short-term lenders are donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to Florida politicians in a bid to get higher interest rates on short term loans.
Utility Monopolies Drive Up Our Energy Bills. How Some Floridians Create Their Own Power To Save Money
August 18, 2023
Some Floridians have created their own mini power plants on their roofs to get relief from high energy bills from monopoly utility companies. But it is not going off-grid. Just the opposite.
Is A Program To Help Florida Homeowners Struggling with Soaring Property Insurance Premiums Too Successful?
August 17, 2023
The My Safe Florida Home Program helps homeowners with needed home hardening projects and can help potentially lower their property insurance premiums. Why it’s already running out of money.
Why Is Your Electric Bill So High? New Reports Show How Power Companies Spend Your Money On Politics, and it’s 100% Legal
August 10, 2023
New reports reveal the extent to which major electric companies like FPL use money from your electric bill in lobbying and other political activities. And it’s all perfectly legal, a fact that some elected leaders think is a problem.
Revealed: 75% of Florida’s Electricity Generated From One Volatile Fuel
July 21, 2023
Natural gas is the primary source of fuel for all of Florida’s major electricity companies. And the price fluctuations associated with natural gas hit Floridians’ pocketbooks hard.
Solar Energy Gains Popularity in Southwest Florida Thanks to Affordability and Reliability
July 20, 2023
Solar energy proved its reliability and its affordability, even after devastating hurricanes hit Southwest Florida.
Farming + Solar Power: Can Agrivoltaics Cultivate a Brighter Future in Florida?
July 20, 2023
In Florida, 75% of electricity comes from natural gas, causing price spikes for customers. Agrivoltaics offers a solution, allowing large scale solar projects without giving up farming land.
New Florida Law Cuts the Time to Sue Your Builder for Construction Issues
July 18, 2023
A new law signed by Governor DeSantis means that property owners have less time to make a complaint against builders about construction problems.
Five New Laws Gov. DeSantis Quietly Signed That Will Impact Floridians’ Wallets
July 13, 2023
There were a number of under-the-radar laws signed by Governor DeSantis with little fanfare but with significant financial impact on Floridians. Find out how your lawmakers voted on these bills with our new scorecard.
What’s in the New Florida Consumer Protection Bill to Empower and Safeguard Consumers?
July 12, 2023
Consumer protection laws are vital to ensure economic fairness and transparency in the Florida marketplace. In 2023, we had a fairly comprehensive pair of consumer protection bills filed (HB 1185 & SB 1398) that will enhance consumer rights and provide stronger safeguards.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Surprising Record on Solar Energy in Florida
June 20, 2023
He may not flaunt his support for solar energy, but Governor DeSantis has promoted a free market that gave solar the chance to succeed – as the most efficient, reliable, and affordable option.
The Future is Electric: Florida’s EV Industry Boom An Opportunity For Jobs
June 20, 2023
Job opportunities abound in Florida’s Electric Vehicle industry, from scientists conducting research to manufacturing workers who build vehicles, to those building out electric charging infrastructure.
Expect More Volatile Natural Gas Prices as Oil and Gas Companies Put Investor Profits First
June 20, 2023
Deloitte’s forecast suggests natural gas prices, which experienced huge swings in 2022, will continue on the same volatile path this year.
Duke Energy building a floating solar farm at a Polk County cooling pond
June 20, 2023
Polk County will see one of Florida’s first floating solar installations as Duke Energy installs an experimental floating solar farm on one of its cooling ponds
FPL Parent Company NextEra Slammed With Class Action Lawsuit Over Florida Election Fraud Allegations
June 1, 2023
FPL is in the news again — this time, their parent company NextEra Energy, has been slammed with a class-action lawsuit over FPL’s alleged involvement with election fraud schemes.
Did the 2023 Florida Legislative Session Do Anything to Make Florida Affordable Again?
May 26, 2023
Costs are getting out of control for too many Florida families, and wages are not keeping pace. For many, this is now “the Florida Squeeze.” Did Florida’s legislature do anything this session to Make Florida Affordable Again? Take a look:
Moody’s Credit Rating Agency Comments on the State Takeover of the Gainesville Regional Utility
May 21, 2023
Moody’s Investors Service issued what they call a “comment” on the impact of a state-appointed board for GRU. The firm expressed concern the change would lead to “potentially cutting financial transfers to the city and hurting its credit quality.”
Florida: Brace Yourself for Double-Digit Rate Increases from Citizens Property Insurance
May 11, 2023
Citizens Property Insurance, the state-backed property insurer of last resort for Florida residents, announced that it would be hiking insurance rates. Here’s what you need to know about the latest property insurance increases.
DeSantis Targets Disney’s Free Speech
May 2, 2023
The Citizens United decision supports Disney’s claim that Governor DeSantis violated its First Amendment rights by retaliating against the company for opposing a law.
Florida Legislators Revise Property Insurance Bill, Insurers’ Profits Stay Hidden
May 2, 2023
A new property insurance bill falls short on profit transparency- insurers’ profits stay hidden.
Attacking unions does not mean freedom for Florida workers | Opinion
April 26, 2023
Guest author Rep. Mike Gottlieb (D-Davie) argues that any attempt to undermine the right to organize unions is an attack on our democracy and on the fundamental values of freedom and liberty that we hold dear.
Gainesville Is One Step Closer To Losing Control of its Utility
April 21, 2023
A bill to take over the Gainesville Regional Utility, a municipally owned utility, and replace its board with a governor-appointed board, advanced out of a Florida House Committee on April 19.
The Next Disney-Style Takeover for DeSantis: The Gainesville Regional Utility
April 19, 2023
Just as the Florida Legislature advanced a law to claw back control over Disney’s special taxing district, they advanced a separate bill to give Gov. DeSantis control over a municipally-owned electric utility.
The Public Service Commission has abandoned Florida’s seniors to FPL | Opinion
April 18, 2023
Guest author Martha Pelaez writes that older consumers are bearing the brunt of the rising cost of electricity. The reason: The Florida Public Service Commission has proven to be the puppet of Florida Power & Light, the electric monopoly that supplies electricity to much of the state.
Opinion: State must prohibit utilities from taking over EV charging networks
April 12, 2023
Guest columnist John Peyton argues that Florida’s electric vehicle charging marketplace is a monopoly. He argues that Florida should level the playing field in EV charging.
The Playbook to Privatize G.R.U. and Raise Rates
April 7, 2023
Why the bill to take over Gainesville’s publicly owned utility is part of a long playbook to privatize it and sell it to one of Florida’s major electric utility monopolies.
Florida Republicans’ union-busting bill is a sexist assault on front-line workers | Opinion
April 6, 2023
Guest author Rep. Dotie Joseph points out that lawmakers in the Florida Legislature want to make it harder for nurses and teachers’ unions to sustain themselves, unions which are dominated by women. Male-dominated unions are carved out.
Solar on Schools Saves Money, Saves Lives
March 29, 2023
Florida schools are falling behind states with far less sunshine. Will 2023 be the year solar schools make the grade?
Electric Vehicle Wars Heating Up In Florida
March 28, 2023
There’s an electric vehicle war in Florida: Investor-Owned Utilities vs Gas Stations and Charging manufacturers, which calls for increased competition so consumers can benefit.