ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Duke Energy Florida (DEF) today filed for its annual nuclear cost recovery with the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC). The proposed changes would become effective in the January 2018 billing cycle and continue through the December 2018 billing cycle.
The company is requesting recovery of $132 million in costs for investments made on two nuclear projects -- the proposed nuclear plant in Levy County and the power uprate project at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant in Citrus County.
Duke Energy filed to recover $82 million for investments at the proposed nuclear plant in Levy County, which is estimated to be $2.51 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) for residential customers.
It also filed to recover $50 million for the power uprate project at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant in Citrus County, nearly $2 million less than last year. This is expected to decrease residential rates by 4 cents.
The combined impact of these is an increase of $2.47 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) for residential customers or approximately 2 percent for residential customers and between 1 and 3 percent for commercial and industrial customers. Individual electric bills vary greatly and depend on the amount of energy used.
The proposed increase for Levy is due mainly to the investment in researching and selecting a preferred route for approximately 200 miles of transmission lines, purchasing required equipment, obtaining the site certification and the cost of the permitting process.
Currently the company is not actively building, but officials continue to regard the site in Levy County as a viable option for future nuclear generation and understand the importance of fuel diversity in creating a sustainable energy future. Nuclear generation is a reliable and greenhouse gas emission free source of energy.
“Delivering safe, reliable, cleaner energy at a fair price to our customers is a priority for us,” said Harry Sideris, Duke Energy state president – Florida. “We will make a final decision on new nuclear generation in Florida based on, among other factors, energy needs, project costs, carbon regulation, natural gas prices, existing or future legislative provisions for cost recovery and requirements of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission license.”
As a regulated utility, Duke Energy must abide by the rates set by the Florida Public Service Commission. Only costs the commission deems to be reasonable and prudent may be charged to customers. The commission also conducts annual prudence reviews, which include input from various stakeholders, including customers and consumer advocates. To date, the commission has found the company’s nuclear costs to be prudent.
Managing energy costs
During the summer months, Florida’s rising temperatures can cause a seasonal spike in customers’ energy bills. Duke Energy Florida urges customers to take control of their energy use by making simple, energy-efficient changes in their homes.
Duke Energy Florida offers free Home Energy Checks to help customers identify how they can reduce their energy use and save money. Through this service, which can be performed online, over the phone or in person, the company’s energy advisors provide energy-saving recommendations and determine customers’ eligibility for company rebates toward energy-efficient improvements.
Following the home energy check, customers in single-family homes receive a free energy efficiency kit (customers living in apartments, condominiums, duplexes and townhomes may be eligible for the Multi-Family Energy Improvement Program). The starter kit contains items that help conserve energy and water, including an energy-efficient showerhead, faucet aerators, a hot water gauge, a refrigerator/freezer thermometer, weather-strip seals for doors and windows, switch and outlet insulation seals and LED lightbulbs. To sign up, call 877.574.0340 or visit the company’s Home Energy Check website.
About Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida owns and operates a diverse generation mix, including renewables, providing about 8,800 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.8 million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.
With its Florida regional headquarters located in St. Petersburg, Fla., Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its Electric Utilities and Infrastructure business unit serves approximately 7.5 million customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. The company’s Gas Utilities and Infrastructure business unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its Commercial Renewables business unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the United States.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.
The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.
Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Ana Gibbs
Office: 727.820.4722
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Twitter: DE_AnaGibbs