On Friday, Florida Power & Light (FPL) proposed a temporary monthly surcharge of $3.48 to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). This charge aims to recover service restoration costs following Hurricane Isaias, according to the company's official statement.
This surcharge would be effective from January through December 2027 and applies to the average residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month. It is also intended to partially replenish the storm reserve fund depleted by the hurricane.
Including this charge, the proposed monthly bill for that consumption profile would be $141.87. This amount is $1.18 less than the $143.05 projected by the company for 2027 in prior presentations to the PSC.
The discrepancy arises because a reduction in the fuel charge—reflecting lower projected natural gas costs—and various operational efficiencies more than offset the new surcharge for Isaias, according to FPL.
It is crucial to note that both the surcharge and the other proposed adjustments are subject to PSC review and approval; they are not yet approved measures. The actual cost for each household will vary based on consumption, contracted rate, and service area.
FPL President and CEO Scott Bores defended the proposal, stating, "Our responsibility is to provide reliable energy while keeping customer bills as low as possible. During Hurricane Isaias, our investments helped prevent outages and restore service faster. Now, our modern generation fleet and ongoing focus on efficiency are contributing to 2027 bills being lower than we projected last year, even as we recover hurricane response costs."
Hurricane Isaias made landfall on October 9 in Okaloosa County in northwest Florida as a Category 2 storm with winds of approximately 105 mph. Approximately 435,000 FPL customers lost power, equivalent to 84% of those served by the company in that region.
For restoration efforts, FPL mobilized nearly 17,000 workers and managed to restore service to nearly all affected customers within four days. The company's smart grid technology prevented about 138,000 additional outages during the storm, and post-storm forensic analysis found no failure of reinforced poles.
By October 13, the company had resolved more than 380,000 outages and completed recovery in six of the eight affected counties; the more complex efforts were concentrated in Escambia and Santa Rosa.
This surcharge for Isaias is separate from the multi-year rate increase that the PSC approved in November 2025, the largest in FPL's history, which includes $945 million increases in 2026 and $705 million in 2027, with additional adjustments through 2029.
FPL serves over six million customer accounts and approximately 12 million people statewide, making it the largest electric utility in the United States. The PSC must review and decide on the proposal before any changes to 2027 bills take effect.
Understanding FPL's Proposed Surcharge for Hurricane Isaias
What is the purpose of the proposed surcharge by FPL?
The proposed surcharge aims to recover costs related to service restoration after Hurricane Isaias and to partially replenish the storm reserve fund.
How will the surcharge affect FPL customers?
The average residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would see an additional $3.48 added to their monthly bill, resulting in a total of $141.87.
Is the surcharge already approved?
No, the surcharge and other proposed adjustments are still subject to review and approval by the Florida Public Service Commission.
How did Hurricane Isaias impact FPL's customers?
Hurricane Isaias caused power outages for around 435,000 FPL customers, which is about 84% of those served in the affected region.