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State regulators Tuesday will weigh whether to allow Florida Power & Light Co. to keep its employees' salaries secret. The Public Service Commission meeting in Tallahassee comes one week before regulators take up FPL's request for a $1.3 billion annual increase in base rates. Florida's five major utilities, including FPL, provided detailed salary information to the commission. But FPL and Progress Energy Florida, based in St. Petersburg, have asked to keep the information private for competitive reasons. A group of 15 employees from FPL - the state's largest utility with 4.5 million customers - hired an attorney this month and said they oppose disclosing salaries for privacy reasons. The First Amendment Foundation and the Office of Public Counsel - the state's advocate for utility customers - said state law requires utilities to make the information public.

State regulators Tuesday will weigh whether to allow Florida Power & Light Co. to keep its employees' salaries secret. The Public Service Commission meeting in Tallahassee comes one week before regulators take up FPL's request for a $1.3 billion annual increase in base rates. Florida's five major utilities, including FPL, provided detailed salary information to the commission. But FPL and Progress Energy Florida, based in St. Petersburg, have asked to keep the information private for competitive reasons. A group of 15 employees from FPL - the state's largest utility with 4.5 million customers - hired an attorney this month and said they oppose disclosing salaries for privacy reasons. The First Amendment Foundation and the Office of Public Counsel - the state's advocate for utility customers - said state law requires utilities to make the information public.

FPL Energy, a subsidiary of the FPL Group and owner of the Point Beach nuclear power plant in Wisconsin, is changing its name to NextEra Energy Resources. The idea, the Juno Beach, Fla.-based company (NYSE: FPL) noted in a press release, is to "better reflect its clean energy mission and market focus." FPL Energy is the largest producer of wind and solar energy in North America. Its portfolio includes power generation facilities in 25 states and Canada. NextEra will remain an FPL Group company.

"The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff is citing Florida Power & Light Co. for three violations and has proposed a $70,000 civil penalty against the company for an issue with the Unit 3 spent fuel pool racks at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant near Homestead, Fla., about 20 miles south of Miami. In December 2009, the NRC became aware that the neutron-absorbing material called Boraflex in the Unit 3 spent fuel pool had degraded below the levels spelled out in the plant's design basis documents. Although FPL had taken compensatory measures including the addition of soluble boron, the regulatory requirements that ensure the spent fuel pool remains safe were not met. The company's actions ensured the pool's condition did not pose an immediate safety concern, but the NRC found that FPL did not promptly identify and correct the condition. The NRC issued the civil penalty because the agency felt the company did not report the condition in a timely fashion. The NRC has determined that the issue has low to moderate safety significance and may result in additional inspections. The NRC staff held a regulatory and enforcement conference with FPL in April, and the company disagreed with some aspects of the NRC's evaluation. After considering information provided by FPL, the NRC staff issued its final determination including the three violations and $70,000 fine."

State regulators and consumer groups grilled Florida Power & Light officials in the past two weeks about the utility's profits, costs it shares with its unregulated affiliates, executive bonuses and corporate jets, among other issues that could affect FPL ratepayers over the next few years. And it's not over. The Florida Public Service Commission extended hearings on FPL's proposed $1.3 billion annual base rate increase, with meeetings scheduled for Saturday and Sept. 16. The commission plans to vote Oct. 28 and Nov. 13. If the rate increase is approved, monthly electric bills could rise by as much as $12.40 per month for a typical household served by FPL. But FPL officials project that a decrease in fuel costs will reduce the typical bill by $7 next year even if the base rate increase is approved.

The Florida Public Service Commission on Friday agreed to let the state's two largest utilities collect more than $270 million from ratepayers next year as a down payment to develop new nuclear plants expected to come online in the next decade. The commission will allow FPL Group's (FPL.N) Florida Power & Light Co to recover nearly $62.7 million in costs related to construction of two proposed nuclear reactors, Turkey Point Units 6 and 7, and work to increase output at its existing nuclear units, Turkey Point Units 3 and 4 and St. Lucie Units 1 and 2, the commission said in a release. FPL is the state's largest utility with 4.5 million customers.

The Florida Public Service Commission on Friday agreed to let the state's two largest utilities collect more than $270 million from ratepayers next year as a down payment to develop new nuclear plants expected to come online in the next decade. The commission will allow FPL Group's (FPL.N) Florida Power & Light Co to recover nearly $62.7 million in costs related to construction of two proposed nuclear reactors, Turkey Point Units 6 and 7, and work to increase output at its existing nuclear units, Turkey Point Units 3 and 4 and St. Lucie Units 1 and 2, the commission said in a release. FPL is the state's largest utility with 4.5 million customers.

The sideshow at the Public Service Commission is overtaking the historic consideration of a rate increase for Florida Power & Light. Today, PSC chairman Matthew Carter took the unusual step of offering a press release proclaiming his independence from utility lobbyists. It seems unusual for a commissioner who is considering a rate increase from a utility to specifically note his votes against that utility in the past. Here is Carter's statement, (and see below for FPL comment): Assertions have been made that the Florida Public Service Commission is too "cozy" with regulated utilities, FPL in particular. To the extent that these criticisms are directed toward me, I take great offense because they are false. An examination of the record, not some special interest's characterizations, demonstrates my independence and freedom from external bias. In nearly every high-profile issue that FPL has brought before this Commission, I have voted to deny or severely limit the company's request.

Florida Power & Light customers will pay nearly $63 million next year to cover the cost of planning two nuclear plant expansions. That's 67 cents per month in nuclear costs for the first 1,000 kilowatt hours used, but it's $1.60 less per month for the first 1,000 kilowatt hours than customers paid this year for those costs, FPL officials said. Next year will be the second that FPL customers have paid for planning costs for the expansions. Last year, about $220 million was approved for this year. The Public Service Commission voted 3 to 1 on Friday to pass the costs to customers next year. During the meeting, some commissioners praised nuclear power as a cheap energy source that reduces the state's greenhouse gas emissions and its dependence on oil.

Florida Power & Light customers will pay nearly $63 million next year to cover the cost of planning two nuclear plant expansions. That's 67 cents per month in nuclear costs for the first 1,000 kilowatt hours used, but it's $1.60 less per month for the first 1,000 kilowatt hours than customers paid this year for those costs, FPL officials said. Next year will be the second that FPL customers have paid for planning costs for the expansions. Last year, about $220 million was approved for this year. The Public Service Commission voted 3 to 1 on Friday to pass the costs to customers next year. During the meeting, some commissioners praised nuclear power as a cheap energy source that reduces the state's greenhouse gas emissions and its dependence on oil.

"The Public Service Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to require Florida Power & Light Co. to refund $13.9 million, including interest, to customers for costs related to a 2008 outage that left as many as 3 million Floridians without electricity. That will offset fuel costs for customers next year by about 14 cents a month for those who use about 1,000 kilowatt hours. About 950,000 Florida homes and businesses, including 596,000 FPL customers, lost power Feb. 26, 2008. The outage lasted several hours and was blamed on an FPL engineer, whose actions accidentally triggered the blackout. The incident tripped off two nuclear units at the Turkey Point plant near Miami, as they are designed to do for safety reasons."

Florida Power & Light is studying a delay in construction of two proposed nuclear reactors in Florida and may reconsider seeking a federal loan guarantee, Moray Dewhurst, vice chairman of the utility's parent FPL Group (FPL.N), said on Thursday. In January, Juno Beach, Florida-based FPL said it would halt spending on projects in the state representing about $10 billion of investment over the next five years because of a negative regulatory ruling in the utility's rate case. The company is expected to outline exactly how it will pare its capital program in the second quarter. "

Costs would add up to $67 million next year Florida Power & Light Co. officials on Tuesday sought state approval to pass on the costs for expanding the utility's nuclear power plants to consumers - a $67 million cost next year. At the first of three Public Service Commission hearings in Tallahassee on the proposal, utility officials called the costs necessary and said nuclear power is key to Florida's future energy plans. FPL officials said the proposal would not add anything to customers' monthly bills. The addition translates to about 67 cents more per month for a typical customer, but FPL officials said overall nuclear power costs will be less next year than this year.

"he shareholders of FPL Group, Inc. voted today to change the name of the company to NextEra Energy, Inc. The company announced the proposed name change on March 19, 2010. During the company's annual meeting today, the proposal was approved by more than 95 percent of the shareholders who cast a vote. Following the shareholder vote, the name of the company was formally changed from FPL Group, Inc. to NextEra Energy, Inc. The change is intended to better reflect the company's scale as one of the largest and cleanest energy providers in the country, its diverse scope of operations across 28 states and Canada, and its forward-thinking, innovative approach to providing energy-related solutions for customers. "

After a three-day hearing, the state Public Service Commission Thursday postponed a decision on whether to also allow FPL to charge customers for $220 million in nuclear costs and part of its proposed $7 billion in fuel and purchased power costs. After giving groups representing FPL customers more time to give input on FPL's request, the commission will reconvene Wednesday.

Flooding from tropical Storm Fay triggered the shutdown of an 839-megawatt nuclear reactor unit at FPL Group's St. Lucie plant, but power supplies are still adequate, the company said today. Due to flooding in an area that holds equipment and pumps, the St. Lucie 1 reactor was taken offline around 6 a.m. Wednesday, said FPL spokeswoman Leslie Cifelli.

Two top Public Service Commission staffers resigned Tuesday and two others went on administrative leave as alleged ethics lapses again overshadowed a hearing on proposed rate increases - this time to pay for new nuclear power plants. At least the appearance of a too-cozy relationship with Florida Power & Light Co., one of two utilities seeking higher nuclear rates, led to the resignation of Ryder Rudd as director of strategic analysis and governmental affairs. Rudd, whose duties included lobbying the Legislature, last month acknowledged he and his wife attended a Kentucky Derby Party at the home of an FPL executive. That disclosure came as the commission began hearings on a separate FPL request to raise its base rates. Commissioner Nancy Argenziano's chief adviser, Larry Harris, also resigned at her request after admitting he gave the private messaging code for his smartphone to an FPL executive.

Florida Power & Light Co. officials defended a $1.3 billion rate increase despite opponents' objections that it will pad the pockets of high-paid executives and reap bigger profits, even as Gov. Charlie Crist rebuked the hike as "excessive." FPL CEO Armando Olivera insisted that the utility needs to raise customers' rates to make its operations more fuel-efficient and that the hike would keep customers' electric bills from climbing even more in the long run. "We're trying to come forward with what we think is a balanced approach. I think that the fact that our rates are the lowest in the state is a reflection of what we are," said Olivera, who spent all day on the witness stand for the Public Service Commission proceedings. It was the second day of the rate hearings scheduled to last two weeks. Juno Beach-based FPL, which serves 4.5 million customer accounts from northeast Florida to Miami, is asking for its first base rate increase since 1985.

Florida Power & Light must be stopped from endangering our lives, destroying our water supply and making us pay for it. FPL plans to double the number of nuclear reactors at Turkey Point and to continue storing nuclear waste on-site indefinitely. Radioactive tritium leaks reveal the existing cooling canals already push saltwater into South Dade well fields -- new reactors will hasten this process. Further, FPL intends to run above-ground 230,000 volt transmission lines through Biscayne and Everglades National Parks, then up U.S. 1 adjacent to schools, hospitals, residences, businesses and commuter lines. In study after study, cancer rates are elevated along high voltage transmission corridors. FPL's own consultant stated these cancer risks cannot be dismissed.

More than two years after a federal investigation found that guards were sleeping on the job at Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point nuclear plant, the utility has paid a six-figure fine to resolve the case. FPL sent the Nuclear Regulatory Commission a check for $130,000 in January, the commission confirmed Monday. FPL spokesman Tom Veenstra confirmed late Monday that the company had paid the fine. Six guards at the Miami-Dade County plant slept or served as lookouts for other guards who were sleeping ''on multiple occasions'' between 2004 and 2006, the commission concluded. All of the guards were contractors with Palm Beach Gardens-based Wackenhut. None remained on the job after the violations were announced last year, officials said.

"* To suspend $10 bln in investment over next 5 years * Cites deteriorating regulatory environment in Florida * Progress Energy sees similar regulatory action * FPL shares off 3 pct, Progress shares edge up - FPL Group Inc, owner of the largest utility in Florida, said it would halt spending on projects in the state representing about $10 billion of investment over the next five years because of a deteriorating regulatory environment. The Florida Public Service Commission on Wednesday unanimously rejected FPL's request to raise its base rates by 30 percent, or $1.3 billion, and instead allowed an increase of $75.4 million."

A former federal energy regulator, environmentalists and others asked Florida leaders today to delay their pursuit of nuclear power in light of lower electricity demand and the rising costs of building new reactors. A Southern Alliance for Clean Energy meeting on the issue comes days before the Public Service Commission will vote on whether FPL and Progress Energy can pass to customers the incremental planning costs of four new nuclear reactors that are estimated to cost up to $35 billion and are awaiting state and federal approvals. Utilities have pushed for expanding nuclear energy because once reactors are built, they provide a relatively cheap, long-term source of energy that doesn't release greenhouse gases and also saves customers money by protecting them from fluctuating fuel costs. Nuclear energy makes up a fifth of the power produced by FPL at a fraction of the cost of other power sources.

A former federal energy regulator, environmentalists and others asked Florida leaders today to delay their pursuit of nuclear power in light of lower electricity demand and the rising costs of building new reactors. A Southern Alliance for Clean Energy meeting on the issue comes days before the Public Service Commission will vote on whether FPL and Progress Energy can pass to customers the incremental planning costs of four new nuclear reactors that are estimated to cost up to $35 billion and are awaiting state and federal approvals. Utilities have pushed for expanding nuclear energy because once reactors are built, they provide a relatively cheap, long-term source of energy that doesn't release greenhouse gases and also saves customers money by protecting them from fluctuating fuel costs. Nuclear energy makes up a fifth of the power produced by FPL at a fraction of the cost of other power sources.

At 1:09 one afternoon last year, 90 metal rods slid into the cores of the two nuclear reactors at Turkey Point, part of an automatic shutdown that had been triggered by a utility worker's blunder moments earlier at a substation miles away. A million customers lost power. Florida Power & Light executives ordered that the reactors be back online within 12 hours, according to court documents. The plant's top nuclear operator, David Hoffman, said that would be dangerous. When FPL executives disagreed with him, he walked out at 8 p.m., refusing to participate in actions he felt were unsafe. At 11:49 that night, Feb. 26, 2008, he submitted a heated resignation letter, blasting FPL for constantly putting cost savings ahead of safety and creating a horrible morale problem. ''People are not valued and are treated like equipment and numbers,'' Hoffman wrote.