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Highlands Today

Progress Energy

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Howard Newmark

Published: February 6, 2009

The last few days there have been numerous letters to the editor in Highlands Today and also The Tampa Tribune regarding the State Farm Insurance abandonment of the state of Florida homeowners insurance.
I wonder why I haven't seen anything about the 25 percent increase awarded to Progress Energy which took effect on Jan.1? This outrageous increase hits us during one of the country's worst economic recessions in recent memory. I have written letters to Governor Crist and our local Rep. Denise Grimsley trying to get them to rescind or even delay this increase.
The governor forwarded my letter to the Public Service Commission and I received a letter from them outlining the reasons why the increase to Progress Energy was awarded. They tell me that one of their reasons was the increase in the cost of fuel and another was the building of a nuclear power plant.
Their fuel increase statement does not fly since the cost of crude oil has dropped considerably in the past few months with today's price quote around $40 per barrel. And if Progress wants to build a nuclear power plant, let the company and their stockholders pay for it rather than we ratepayers foot the bill.
I would like to see others flood the governor and their local representative in the state Legislature with letters of protest and see if that will do any good in reducing the ridiculous 25 percent increase in our electric bills. If they can stop State Farm, why can't they stop Progress Energy?
Howard Newmark
Sebring

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