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The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Villager responds to Duke Energy rate increase proposal

To the Editor:

After enjoying a pleasant New Year’s Day, I was disheartened the next day to read in Villages-News that Duke Energy has requested another customer rate hike, this time to pay for its costs in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

I recognize that some people may be satisfied with Duke as their electricity provider, and they may have even been pleased with the company’s hurricane recovery efforts. Those customers should be free to continue their relationship with Duke, even if their rates go up.

But some of us have a serious problem with the company’s attempts to raise our rates for simply doing their job. Others are unhappy with the way the company delivers – or fails to deliver – customer service. We should all be free to look elsewhere for alternative electricity providers. After all, if you’re unhappy with your car dealer, your pharmacy, your grocery store, or pretty much any other business, our great American free enterprise system lets you take your money somewhere else.

But not with electric utilities. Unfortunately, that’s not possible under state law – Floridians cannot choose our electricity provider. Other states, like Texas and Illinois, give consumers the power to decide – but not here in the Sunshine State.

So Duke customers are expected to sit back and take the gut-punch of these higher rates. However,  there is something we can do about it.

For the first time in 20 years, the state Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) has been convened to complete a top-to-bottom review of Florida’s Constitution. Among other things, this creates a rare opportunity for Floridians to influence the state’s energy future. The CRC has the power to place a measure on the 2018 ballot that would allow Floridians to choose their electricity provider. This idea, known as Proposal 51, would give us the same freedom already enjoyed by Americans in 13 states, including the other six most populous states.

Affordable energy is a foundational pillar that leads to strong economic growth.Affordable energy is a foundational pillar that leads to strong economic growth. A recent study by Harper Polling found that 78 percent of Floridians want to insert choice and free-market competition into Florida’s electricity market. Not only that, it is also something that is needed in order to save billions in annual spending and push Florida forward in terms of electric innovation.

A competitive electricity market in Florida would lower electricity prices by 25 percent and produce annual savings of up to $7.5 billion by 2030. Other states that have implemented energy choice have also seen an increase in jobs, efficiency, and innovation.

Texas, which introduced this positive disruption to its electric industry over a decade ago, is now able to offer residents a 100 percent green plan for less than the lowest residential rate in Florida. Competition breeds innovation – and when innovators compete, costs go down and the quality of customer service goes up.

Power companies have held onto the status quo for too long. While they swim in billions of undeserved dollars, Floridians have been deprived of the numerous benefits that come from turning the state’s monopolistic electricity industry into a competitive electricity market. Proposal 51 can change all that.

I encourage you to take a moment to visit FloridaEnergyFreedom.org and voice your support for electricity freedom. On the website, you will be able to send an email to every CRC member, including one of our neighbors: Dr. Gary Lester, who serves as Vice President for Community Relations of The Villages and as President of The Villages Charter Schools.

Together, we can help Florida move forward with electricity freedom.

David Benfield
Village of Duval

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