Progress Energy Florida launches new Web site

Progress Energy Florida has developed a new tool to provide customers easy access to rate information and help them better understand their electricity bills.

Launched last week, the new Web site for Florida customers - www.progress-energy.com/floridarates - provides facts on rates and includes a detailed customer bill explanation. Visitors to the Web site can also learn how rates are set and the ways customer benefits from investments in the electrical infrastructure. The site also links to resources to help customers reduce their energy usage and lower their monthly bills.

Electric rates for Progress Energy Florida customers will remain relatively flat following the recent Florida Public Service Commission rate case decision. Beginning with Feb. 10 billing (which reflects the past month's usage), residential customer rates will decrease $0.42 (0.3 percent) per 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) for an average total bill of approximately $126.90. The average commercial and industrial customer impact will be a 0.2 to 0.4 percent decrease to the total bill.

On Jan. 11, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) finalized Progress Energy's 2010 base rate case. As part of their decision, the PSC denied any increase in base rates over what was approved in July 2009. That rate change covers upgrades to the Bartow power plant, located on Weedon Island in St. Petersburg. The output of the plant was nearly doubled and the fuel source was switched from oil to cleaner, more cost-efficient natural gas. As a result, customers are benefiting through cleaner air, lower fuel costs and greater reliability.