Gulf Power customers to see largest decrease ever

Beginning in July, Gulf Power Company customers will see a $58.5-million rate decrease, the largest reduction in Gulf Power’s history. 

If the Florida Public Service Commission approves the decrease, the residential bill for 1,000-kilowatt hours of electricity will drop $9.92 to $116.61. This 7.8 percent decrease is due mostly to continued lower prices in natural gas used to generate electricity.

 

“This rate decrease is great news for our customers, especially as we head into the hot summer months,” said Bentina Terry, Gulf Power’s vice president of Corporate Services and External Affairs. “In fact, this decrease rolls back customers electricity prices to pre-2009 levels.”

 

This will be the third decrease Gulf Power customers have seen this year and will more than offset a base rate increase that went into effect in April.

 

Each January the Florida Public Service Commission adjusts Gulf Power’s prices to reflect cost changes in fuel, environmental compliance and energy conservation programs. But rather than waiting until January, Gulf Power is asking the PSC to approve the mid-year reduction.

 

“Because we have taken steps to diversify our fuel sources, we are now approximately 30 percent coal and 69 percent natural gas,” said Terry. “This flexibility allows us to take advantage of lower fuel prices for our customers now and into the future.”

 

Customers can find additional savings by making their homes more energy efficient. There are many low-cost and no-cost programs to help customers save money and energy available at www.gulfpower.com or by calling 1-877-655-4001.

 

Gulf Power Price Changes

 

January 2009

$124.10

  

January 2010

$126.18

  

January 2011

$122.67

  

September 2011

$127.16

After PSC granted interim base rate increase

January 2012

$125.80

Decrease for lower coal, natural gas and

environmental costs

March 2012

$122.46

Decrease for lower natural gas costs

April 2012

$126.53

Permanent Base Rates go into effect

July 2012

$116.61

Decrease for lower natural gas costs
 

Price for 1,000 kilowatt-hours for residential customers

  

 

 

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 431,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible electric service to our customers while working to improve the communities we serve. Visit online at GulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.”

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