Resolution 2025-176 RESOLUTION NO. 2025 - 1 7 6
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA PUBLIC
SERVICE COMMISSION TO PROTECT ALL ENERGY CONSUMERS BY
OPPOSING THE PROPOSED FLORIDA POWER&LIGHT(FP&L)RATE
INCREASES FOR HIGH-COST SOLAR PROJECTS THAT
FINANCIALLY BURDEN THE CONSUMER.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida ("Board"), is
committed to safeguarding the economic well-being of its residents, including working families, senior
citizens, small business owners, and other vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, affordable and reliable energy, in the form of electric power, is essential to public
health, economic stability, and the overall quality of life in Collier County; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is charged with ensuring that electric
utility rates are fair,just, and reasonable for the people of Florida; and
WHEREAS, Florida Power & Light (FP&L) has reported record profits exceeding billions in
recent years, yet continues to seek substantial rate hikes and a very high return on equity; and
WHERAS, the Office of the Public Council has provided expert testimony stating that a rate
increase is not necessary and recommended that the rate should be decreased by six-hundred and twenty
million dollars in 2026.
WHEREAS,FP&L has proposed rate increases to fund solar capital projects that may conflict with
the 2025 federal policy directive of"Unleashing American Energy,"which prioritizes affordable, reliable,
and domestically sourced energy production while avoiding unnecessary burdens on consumers; and
WHEREAS, the current presidential administration "Unleashing American Energy" policy does
not mention solar energy, but declares that, "It is thus in the national interest to unleash America's
affordable and reliable energy and natural resources." This policy encourages energy exploration and
production,ensures an abundant supply of reliable energy,and promotes the use of domestic energy sources
such as oil, natural gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels, critical mineral, and nuclear resources; and
WHEREAS, FP&L has proposed significant rate increases to the PSC to fund new projects,
consisting almost exclusively of large-scale solar energy facilities and battery storage systems; and
WHEREAS, these proposed rate increases, if approved, could result in significant financial
hardship for working families, seniors on fixed incomes, local small businesses, and residents already
struggling with increased costs of living; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports a balanced approach to energy planning that maintains cost-
effective, dependable electricity while fostering economic resilience and protecting ratepayers from
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unnecessary cost escalation; and
WHEREAS,the Board recognizes the need for renewable energy,we encourage energy investment
in sources that are proven and reliable such as oil, natural gas,coal, hydropower, biofuels, critical mineral,
and nuclear resources; and
WHEREAS, the Board has been made aware of the FP&L recent spending proposal, initially
requesting a $9 billion rate increase over 4 years — the biggest rate increase in history -- with an above
average shareholder profit, but now reduced by some 30%; and
WHEREAS, FP&L is focusing on 680-acre universal solar energy centers capable of generating
only 23% of the daily required capacity during peak hours of the day, while an equivalent gas fired plant
can accomplish the same in less than 1% of that acreage at approximately one quarter of the cost; and
WHEREAS, FP&L is taking advantage of a 1973 Power Plant Siting Act (PPSA) law, Sections
403.501-.518, Florida Statute (F.S.). This law says that they can develop solar farms 680 acres or less to
be done without site permitting, environmental permits or a competitive process for energy development;
and
WHEREAS, the PSC has allowed utility companies to take advantage of this PPSA law and to
self-govern and make choices for themselves without accountability by the voters; and
WHEREAS, the PSC has a duty to ensure that utility rates are fair,just, and reasonable, and that
major infrastructure investments do not place an undue burden on ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, if FP&L insists on this continued progression toward expensive energy options,
Collier County, FL is resolved to look at other energy sources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Collier County, Florida, that:
1. The Board strongly urges the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to protect
residential and business consumers by rejecting any proposed FP&L rate increases due to high-
cost solar expansion projects that contradict the 2025 federal policy of "Unleashing American
Energy."
2. The Board opposes any rate adjustments that would impose disproportionate
financial burdens on working families, senior residents, local businesses, and vulnerable
populations in Collier County.
3. The Board encourages the PSC to require that any approved projects demonstrate
clear and measurable benefits to consumers, including maintaining affordable rates and ensuring
reliable energy supply.
4. The Board shall transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Florida Public Service
Commission, the Governor of the State of Florida, the Florida Senate President, the Florida
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House Speaker, and Collier County's legislative delegation.
0,191
ATTES, '*, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Crystk?K. 1_, rk'ofourts COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: .'� By: �
Attest as to r ,141110.404.
s• .Deputy Clerk urt L. Saun ers, Chairman
signature only
Approved as to form and legality:
•
OC Y
Jeffre A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
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