Look For Slight FPL Rate Hike In 2012

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – Just when you thought you were going to be getting a break next year on your power bills from Florida Power & Light Co., think again.

Residential customers will be paying about a quarter a more per month. That amount is for 1,000 kilowatt hours — about average monthly usage.

The increase results from state Public Service Commission approval on Tuesday of adding $20.8 million to FLP's rate base. Most of it is due to nuclear upgrades that became operational this year.

The commission previously approved an increase $1.87 in 2012 for nuclear plant upgrades and construction not yet completed.

The company, though, also has asked the commission to reduce its fuel charge. If that's approved, customers will get a net reduction of $1.92 a month to $94.62.

The Juno Beach-based utility has 4.5 million customers in South Florida and along the state's east coast.

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