TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The Florida Public Service Commission is beginning a lengthy hearing on Florida Power & Light Co.'s request to raise rates by $690.4 million a year.
The hearing started Monday after the panel rejected several motions from the state's consumer advocate. They included a request to delay it and first hold a separate hearing on a proposed settlement.
The utility, which is a unit of NextEra Energy Inc., made the agreement with groups representing industrial, health care and federal government customers.
Public Counsel J.R. Kelly, who represents all utility consumers, and the Florida Retail Federation are not parties to the deal, and they oppose it.
Kelly said it would ultimately increase rates more than the utility's initial request.
The panel also rejected his motion to reject the settlement. The commissioners agreed hold the hearing and consider the settlement later.
