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Pembroke Pines News Alert: FPL gets green light for $7 billion rate hike. Here's how much more you'll pay
- Mike Hernandez
- Dec 2, 2025
- 2 min read
Today, I was quoted in the Pembroke Pines News story, "FPL gets green light for $7 billion rate hike. Here's how much more you'll pay" It reports on the recent approval of the Florida Power and Light rate hike that I had previously opposed. Due to my advocacy efforts on the Commission, the City of Pembroke Pines was the first city to oppose this massive rate hike on residents.
See my comments within the story below:
"I thought it was important, albeit symbolic, to become the first city to oppose the FPL rate increase,” Vice Mayor Michael Hernandez told the Pembroke Pines News on Dec. 1. Hernandez, who worked for the utility company approximately 20 years ago, said the rate hike will make it increasingly difficult for elderly residents in Pembroke Pines to absorb another increase.
“I think you’re a good company, but I think that this is an unnecessary request,” Hernandez says. “It contributes to the image that your company has across the state of Florida, that you are more concerned with the stock price and pleasing your top shareholders than you are in helping the average Floridian who has no other option for electrical service.
Hernandez said that the continuous rate increase has become unsustainable across the state. “Every four years, it’s a multi-billion dollar rate increased request, and that is not sustainable for the average Floridian,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said that the continued ask doesn’t add up. “If FPL was requesting a rate increase once every 10 years or six years, and it was justified in their backup documentation, I can accept that, because every company needs to earn a little bit more money every few years in order to survive,” Hernandez said. “However, I also know that they just had an approval now, and within the next year they will be planning their rate increase request for three years from now.“
Hernandez said that residents still have the power to voice their concerns to their elected representatives.
“I think it’s important to note that while the rate increase has been approved, they still have the right as a resident to register their disapproval directly with both Florida Power Light and the Public Service Commission,” Hernandez said. “Because change doesn’t happen overnight.”
Contact Your Representatives
Email: contact@psc.state.fl.us
