Today, the Florida Public Service Commission approved Gulf Power’s 2010 rate request. Beginning in January, customers will see a 1.5-percent increase on their electricity bill as compared to Jan. 2009.

This increase, offset by lower fuel and purchased power costs during the year, is due primarily to new environmental equipment at Plant Crist, located just north of Pensacola. The state-of-the art “scrubber” technology will reduce emissions upward of 90 percent.

“Since ’92, Gulf Power has reduced regulated emissions from Plant Crist by 75 percent,” said Sandy Sims, Public Affairs manager. “This new scrubber technology, scheduled to come online on December 15, reduces regulated emissions almost 95 percent from those 1992 levels. This means cleaner air for everyone.”

Beginning in 2010, the new scrubber system — Gulf Power’s most significant environmental project ever — will be operational at Plant Crist. This project also allows the company to use all of the treated wastewater from the new ECUA plant, creating a zero discharge wastewater treatment facility and helping to improve the area waterways.

The costs associated with the environmental controls were offset by a reduction of approximately 6.5 percent in the cost of fuel and purchased power costs during the year and the removal of a $2.57 storm surcharge. 

“At the beginning of 2009, the average home using 1000 kilowatt hours would have cost $124.10,” said Sims, “and at the beginning of 2010 the same amount of electricity will cost $126.17. We realize that’s not insignificant in these economic times, but these environmental upgrades are necessary to continue to meet and exceed the state’s stringent environmental laws.”

The Florida Public Service Commission adjusts Gulf Power’s rates each year based on the costs of fuel, power bought from other utilities and environmental compliance. These filings are a requirement of the FPSC, which held the final public hearings on December 1.

“As always, Gulf Power is very conscious of the impacts of any billing increases to our customers,” said Sims. “We work diligently to keep our costs low while continuing to provide reliable and environmentally responsible energy. Gulf Power is committed to planning wisely and operating as efficiently as possible to manage costs and provide the high quality service we’re known for.”

One way customers can offset this increase is by making their homes more energy efficient. There are many low-cost steps customers can take to weatherize their homes and save energy. A good place for tips to help save money is Gulf Power’s Web site www.gulfpower.com.

Gulf Power is planning for the future through research and development of cleaner and renewable sources of electricity. Already, the company is purchasing renewable electricity from a municipal solid waste incinerator in Panama City, has erected a wind data tower in Navarre Beach to study wind patterns for potential wind energy, and has signed a contract with Escambia County to produce electricity from landfill gas (methane) at the Perdido Landfill. For information on programs that can help offset this increase, customers can go to www.gulfpower.com.