Progress Energy's planned 31 percent rate increase has touched a nerve among local self-styled consumer advocates.
At least two new Web sites have invited consumers to register their discontent. First, there's www.fireprogressenergy.com, billed as "your voice against a powerful monopoly." The other is "Flood the Lines."
Deb Perry, an entrepreneur in Ocoee, near Orlando, said her husband started a Web business, www.floodthelines.com, this summer as a way for advocacy groups to tell supporters how to participate in their cause. Perry, a Progress Energy customer, is already paying about $400 a month to power her 3,000-square-foot home. When she heard about Progress Energy's proposed increase, Perry decided she had a cause of her own, and started a Flood the Lines page to protest the rate increases.
"This time, it's personal," Perry said.
"Blogs are a new way of communicating, and we certainly support people's rights to use the blogs to air their concerns," said Cherie Jacobs, spokeswoman for the St. Petersburg utility. "However, the most effective way to resolve a customer issue is to work through Progress Energy's customer service department."
That toll-free number is 1-800-700-8744.
Asjylyn Loder can be reached at aloder@sptimes.com or (813) 225-3117.
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