FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Raymer Maguire
rmaguire@cleoinstitute.org

May 29, 2025

FLORIDA – The CLEO Institute is mobilizing Florida Power & Light (FPL) ratepayers to attend the Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) seven in-person and three virtual public hearings from May 28 to June 6. Residents will weigh in on what this proposed rate hike will mean to their lives. This rate hike request comes on the heels of a $5 billion increase approved in 2021, the largest in Florida’s history.

With so many Florida families struggling to make ends meet, the proposed rate increase would further burden communities already facing rising insurance, housing costs and now climate-driven energy demands.

FPL is seeking to raise customer rates by nearly $10 billion over the next three years, marking what would be the largest utility rate increase in U.S. history. As a result, the PSC will hold ten public hearings where the community can speak out before proceeding before the regulatory agency which will make a final decision in late 2025.

“Florida families shouldn’t have to choose between paying their power bill and putting food on the table,” said Yoca Arditi-Rocha, CEO of The CLEO Institute. “We’re calling on residents to raise their voices and urge the PSC to protect the public interest, not corporate profits. If the PSC approves FPL’s request, everyday Floridians could pay at least $200 more annually for electricity by 2027– and potentially more. FPL’s executives are making record salaries while Floridians have to cut back on A/C in record heat.”

Raymer Maguire, The CLEO Institute’s Director of Policy & Campaigns – who will offer comment at the Hollywood hearing – added, “At a time when Floridians are experiencing rising inflation and high costs, we shouldn’t have to shoulder utility rate hikes that will raise our cost of living even more. Public comments made during these hearings are entered into the official record and can influence the PSC’s decision—playing a key role in potential legal appeals if the commission fails to act in the public’s best interest.”

To register to speak at a virtual hearing, visit the Florida PSC homepage at www.floridapsc.com and follow the prompts. CLEO staff will be on-site at and available to support attendees who want to testify. See full public hearing schedule below.

May 28	North Fort Myers – 9:00 a.m. ET Lee County Civic Center, Davidson House Miami Gardens – 6:00 p.m. ET Florida Memorial University, Lou Rawls Center
May 29	Hollywood – 9:30 a.m. ET Anne Kolb Nature Center West Palm Beach – 6:00 p.m. ET Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County
May 30	Daytona Beach Shores – 1:00 p.m. ET Shores Community Center
June 3	Virtual Hearing – 6:00 p.m. ET
June 4	Virtual Hearings – 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. ET
June 5	Pensacola – 6:00 p.m. CT Pensacola State College, Hagler Auditorium
June 6	Panama City – 1:00 p.m. CT Gulf Coast State College, Student Union East