Florida Public Service Commission Grants Confidential Classification to Duke Energy Florida's Storm Restoration Costs

Strategic Insights -

The Florida Public Service Commission has granted Duke Energy Florida, LLC's request for confidential classification of certain information related to the company's storm restoration costs, including those related to Hurricanes Elsa, Eta, Isaias, Ian, Nicole, and Tropical Storm Fred. The confidential classification was granted due to the proprietary and confidential nature of the information, which includes invoices for labor, lodging, transmission and distribution supplies, and other materials used in restoring Duke Energy Florida's grid. This decision aims to protect the company's competitive interests and prevent harm to its ratepayers or business operations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Florida Public Service Commission granted Duke Energy Florida, LLC's request for confidential classification of certain information related to the company's storm restoration costs.
  • The confidential classification was granted due to the proprietary and confidential nature of the information, which includes invoices for labor, lodging, transmission and distribution supplies, and other materials used in restoring Duke Energy Florida's grid.
  • The Commission found that the disclosure of this information would impair the efforts of the public utility or its affiliates to contract for goods or services on favorable terms and would impair the competitive business of the provider of the information.
  • The information will remain protected from disclosure for a period of up to 18 months from the date of issuance of the Order, unless good cause is shown that protection from disclosure shall be for a specified longer period.
  • The decision aims to protect Duke Energy Florida's competitive interests and prevent harm to its ratepayers or business operations.
  • Commissioner Gabriella Passidomo Smith, as Prehearing Officer, made the decision, citing Section 366.093(3), Florida Statutes, which defines proprietary confidential business information as information that is intended to be and is treated by the company as private.

Statistics:

  • The confidential classification was granted for information related to storm restoration costs: Hurricanes Elsa, Eta, Isaias, Ian, Nicole, and Tropical Storm Fred.
  • The information includes invoices for labor, lodging, transmission and distribution supplies, and other materials used in restoring Duke Energy Florida's grid.
  • The confidential classification will remain in effect for up to 18 months from the date of issuance of the Order.
  • The Commission found that the disclosure of this information would impair the efforts of the public utility or its affiliates to contract for goods or services on favorable terms and would impair the competitive business of the provider of the information.
  • The decision aims to protect Duke Energy Florida's competitive interests and prevent harm to its ratepayers or business operations.

Sources:

  • In re: Petition for limited proceeding for recovery of incremental storm restoration costs related to Hurricane Idalia, by Duke Energy Florida, LLC.
  • In re: Petition for limited proceeding for recovery of incremental storm restoration costs related to Hurricanes Elsa, Eta, Isaias, Ian, Nicole, and Tropical Storm Fred, by Duke Energy Florida, LLC.
  • Rule 25-22.006, Florida Administrative Code.
  • Section 366.093, Florida Statutes.
  • Order No. PSC-2025-0151-CFO-EI, issued by Commissioner Gabriella Passidomo Smith, as Prehearing Officer, on May 5, 2025.