Duke Energy Ordered to Give Back $54 Million

Duke Energy customers will see their monthly bills drop by a small amount starting next year thanks to action by the Florida Public Service Commission.

The commission on Thursday ordered Duke to credit customers the $54 million they’ve fronted for nuclear power equipment that was never received, The Tampa Tribune reported. The money will show up on bills as a removal of a $3.45 fee that’s currently in place. The fee was meant to disappear in 2016, but will instead come off sometime in 2015.

The Tribune points out that amount is just a drop in the bucket compared to the $3.2 billion customers are paying Duke for its investments in two failed nuclear power plants – one in Crystal River and one in Levy County.

The commission’s order came despite staff recommendations against it, following a litany of pressure from politicians and customers.

The commission also approved a $1.5 billion natural gas plant that Duke wants to build in Citrus County. Customers will have to pay for that after the plant comes online in 2018, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Do you agree Duke should have to credit the money back? Is the $54 million enough? Share your thoughts by commenting below!

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See Also:

• State Legislators Plan Crackdown on Duke Energy, Other Utilities
• Duke Energy Says it Will Issue Credits
• Duke Energy is Putting the ‘Squeeze’ on Customers Senator Says
• Duke Energy Has to Answer for Rate Charges