Progress Energy tops J.D. Power's new regional charts for electric utilities in pleasing its business customers in the Carolinas but that's not the case in Florida. The difference in business customer satisfaction between the two states served by progress Energy is startling. Look for yourself in this chart:
For the record, since this chart is fuzzy, that's Progress Energy Carolinas at the very top, and Progress Energy Florida, well below the regional average in black, second from the bottom. Florida's largest electric utility, Florida Power & Light serving South Florida, was also below average in business customer satisfaction.

J.D. Power also looked at mid-sized electric utilities in this part of the United States. TECO Energy's Tampa Electric came out above average in business customer satisfaction, just below JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority). Gulf Power,which serves the Florida Panhandle and is owned by Atlanta's Southern Co., came in just below average. You can see the entire J.D. Power report and charts here.

-- Robert Trigaux, Times Business Columnist