Progress Energy price for residents to rise

Progress Energy bills could increase by more than 18 percent by January as the utility piles on costs to reflect more expensive fuel, upgrades and its $17-billion nuclear project in Levy County. Residential customers could see an average increase of more than $23 a month.

Customers could face an 8 percent increase as early as August because of soaring fuel costs, the utility said Friday. The utility asked state regulators for a midyear increase in fuel charges of $12.07 per 1,000 kilowatt hours. If it is approved, customers will start seeing the charge in August.

Progress Energy also plans to pass on charges for scrubbers installed on its Crystal River coal plant, a fuel switch to natural gas at its Anclote power station and changes to its Crystal River nuclear plant that will increase its electric output. The utility also has asked regulators to approve a $17-billion nuclear project in Levy County. If approved, that project could add $7.50 per 1,000 kilowatt hours starting in January.

Progress Energy projected the net impact on monthly bills to be $8.68 per 1,000 kilowatt hours. The fuel charge will be partially offset by the deletion of a storm surcharge of $3.61 per 1,000 kilowatt hours. The total rate will climb to $116.79 from $108.11.

Progress Energy adding new charges

Amount When What for?
– $3.61 July Deletion of surcharge used

to build the utility's hurricane fund
+ $12.07 Aug. 1 Cost of increasing fuel, especially

natural gas and oil
+ $7.50 January Start paying for the $17-billion

Levy nuclear project
+ 71 cents 2009-2011 Cost of increasing electric output

of Crystal River nuclear plant
+ $3.50 2009-2016 Cost of clean air upgrades

at Crystal River and Anclote plants

Source: Progress Energy Note: All amounts per 1,000 kwh. Average Progress Energy household uses 1,178 kwh a month. Different rates may apply for electricity use above 1,000 kwh, and for different types of customers.

Comments on this article

by Pete	Jun 2, 2008 1:53 PM
Its time to invest in solar power and wind power for my home. Does everyone know you can rent solar power panels on your home. There is a company who does this.

by intheknow	Jun 2, 2008 1:51 PM
Clean air upgrades?it won't work if you don't run your plants right.Cost of nuclear out put?I thought thats why you wanted more nukes,it was so cheep.Pay for plant?will you pay me before I actually work?cost of oil & gas?why did you sell yours own.

by bubba	Jun 2, 2008 1:49 PM
damn the trailer next door well no i get free power if they raise it.GRRRRRR

by Ron	Jun 2, 2008 1:44 PM
From PE's own May 15 quarterly report: favorable retail customer growth and usage at PEC had a positive impact on their revenue but this was offset by "unfavorable retail customer growth and usage at PEF." They even double talk to the shareholders.

by ann	Jun 2, 2008 1:39 PM
no for the increase

by Ex-PE Employee	Jun 2, 2008 1:38 PM
Jumped from $9 to $23/month extra? I feel bad for us - but also for the underpaid, under-informed reps on the phone that were not told of this for the customers that will scream/cry about the increase. PE doesn't care about customers OR employees!!

by tim	Jun 2, 2008 1:25 PM
Make Progress Energy take the hit. Seniors who live on the cheap in Florida with Save Our Homes tax benefits feel the market when they're dividends take a hit. No rate hike, make Progress Energy reduce dividends. Level the playing field with seniors.

by Tom	May 31, 2008 7:37 AM
Forget the new nuclear power plant. Purchase the power from FP&L. Let their customers front the money for a new power plant. Why should I?

by annmarie	May 31, 2008 7:28 AM
i dont make much money liveing in florida but the power company makes way to much now we even have to pay 1.00 to pay or bill now i cant pay for food , and i cant pay my taxes now what its just not right we need help higher wages, this is so sad.

by Hoshi	May 30, 2008 9:08 PM
Sal,I am glad you are so okay with this, but we just experienced a hugh hike a year ago, where does everyone think we are going to get all this money, gas, food, electric, everyone wants us to help others, what about America, we are suffering.

by Ace	May 30, 2008 9:07 PM
To Ex Powerguy: There is no hyphen in "incompetent".. Now that's in-competent!

by Dave	May 30, 2008 9:07 PM
It might be worth paying more if they could actually keep the power on. The 10pm and 7am brownouts get old.

by Sherry	May 30, 2008 9:07 PM
With the constant rise in gasoline prices, groceries, and property taxes, how do you honestly expect people to be able to live in one of the lowest waged counties in Florida? The rich keep getting richer and the poor have no choices.

by Vic	May 30, 2008 8:03 PM
The PSC is worthless ;the new Commissioners all swore that they would freeze rates . What is the difference between this group and preceding group of Commissioners ? No difference . They all need to be replaced !Who is watching ? Where is Mike Twomey

by ed	May 30, 2008 8:01 PM
I'm over this state

by Sal	May 30, 2008 7:57 PM
It will hurt. But honestly it does not sound completly unreasonable given current engergy costs. Just be glad you are not heating a home up North!

by JG	May 30, 2008 7:57 PM
JUST WHAT WE NEED ANOTHER INCREASE-I'M SURE THEY WILL NEVER LOOSE MONEY-LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE EARNED.REMEMBER THEY USUALLY ASK FOR A AMOUNT ABOVE WHAT THEY REALY WANT --MAKES US FEEL LIKE WE HAVE WON BUT THEY HAVE-

by Chuck	May 30, 2008 7:56 PM
Progress doesnt support solar, they cant profit from the sun.

by Jo	May 30, 2008 4:54 PM
Yeh, lets see the figures for profit by this company. Could they somehow resemble those of the oil companies? The big shots make huge salaries too.

by kevin	May 30, 2008 4:32 PM
When does this company have an opportunity to fail? If the answer is never, then the price for that stability is a low, low, low profit margin.

by Susanna	May 30, 2008 3:57 PM
What was their profit last year? Maybe they're like poor, poor Exxon who only made 40 billion or so in profit last year. Gotta feel for them...

by Rob	May 30, 2008 3:54 PM
I say DENY THIS INCREASE and tell them to cut the fat and live within there means like all government is now mandated to do.

by Teena	May 30, 2008 3:54 PM
So when is the war on terrorism in THIS country going to start?

by Marsha	May 30, 2008 3:30 PM
Yeah listen to John, see much better every thing's gotten over the years of improvement. That Bush oil family has to get their last bit of money from us all you know before the dim bulb is out.

by John	May 30, 2008 3:22 PM
Stop complaining! None of this "Outta the Blue". You want change, make it yourself and know that any "real" change will take years to occur. This isn't fantasyland people, nothing happens overnight.

by David	May 30, 2008 2:48 PM
Only two words come to mind...rip and off.

by JIM	May 30, 2008 2:43 PM
i DON'T MIND AN INCREASE,BUT 8/21% IS NOT RIGHT. WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON FIXED INCOMES AT THOSE INCREASES THEY STILL ARE MAKING A GOOD PROFIT WHY GET CHARGED NOW FOR SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NOT GET BUILT IN THE FUTURE. GIVE ME A BREAK.

by lizard	May 30, 2008 2:39 PM
Instead of opening a nuclear plant, can't we get them to put solar panels on our houses and charge us in monthly increments until they are paid off. I think that would also create more employment. Good incentive to get plug in electric cars.

by Ex Powerguy	May 30, 2008 2:37 PM
$21 more a month for more mis-management. Unethical VPs, in-competent management and a useless PSC. Let's reward the idiots with another rate increase.

by Patty	May 30, 2008 2:37 PM
Don't expect boomers or anyone else to come riding into FL on white horses to save the economy. They'll be the ones in NC and SC and all the other consumer friendly states. Along with all the teachers. WAKE UP and DO SOMETHING.

by Sandi	May 30, 2008 2:37 PM
Why is it that they ask you to conserve and when you do they aren't making enough profit so they raise the rates. In the middle of summer I already pay over $400 a month. Ye gads what next?

by Sandi	May 30, 2008 2:36 PM
Why is it that they ask you to conserve and when you do they aren't making enough profit so they raise the rates. In the middle of summer I already pay over $400 a month. what next?

by Susan	May 30, 2008 2:26 PM
They will charge us more so they can continue to pay huge salaries and bonuses to top management. We would not want them to have to tighten their belts in these tough economic times, now would we?

by Greg	May 30, 2008 2:08 PM
I am sure we can somehow blame teachers for this one too; yes, they use those computers to enter grades, turn lights on to teach, wasting electricity. Lets lynch teachers for this one!

by Luke	May 30, 2008 2:08 PM
Crooks