Florida Regulators OK Duke’s Solar Plans Under Settlement Agreement
Duke Energy Florida has received approval from the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to move forward with its settlement agreement that the utility says will pave the way to a smarter energy future for Florida customers. The company also received approval for its fuel, capacity, energy conservation and environmental costs.
The settlement agreement, which was filed in August, includes the addition of 700 MW of solar power facilities over the next four years; however, the PSC says Duke Energy can seek base rate increases to pay for the solar projects starting in 2019. The comprehensive agreement also includes the installation of more than 500 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, up to 50 MW of energy storage under a pilot battery storage program, investments in smart meters, grid modernization projects and optional billing programs. In addition, the utility will no longer move forward with the Levy County nuclear project, and customers will not pay any further costs associated with the project.
The settlement agreement was developed with representatives of various consumer groups, including the state’s Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, the Florida Retail Federation, White Springs Agricultural Chemicals, Inc. d/b/a PCS Phosphate and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
