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Progress Energy can hike rates 25%
The Associated Press

November 13, 2008

TALLAHASSEE

Progress Energy, a key electricity provider in Central Florida, received approval to boost rates 25 percent, the largest in a series of approvals Wednesday.

A customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month will see the bill rise by $27.28, to $137.87.

It was one of four of Florida's investor-owned power companies to win such approval. A decision was delayed on the state's fifth investor-owned utility -- and the state's largest -- Florida Power & Light Co.

The Public Service Commission ordered that the new rates -- from 5 percent to 25 percent -- go into effect in January.

Rates will go up 11 percent for Florida Public Utilities Co. customers in the Marianna area and 5 percent in Fernandina Beach; 12 percent for Tampa Electric Co.; and 9 percent for Gulf Power Co. in the Panhandle.

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