Tampa Electric Company's Request for Confidential Classification Granted

Strategic Insights -

The Florida Public Service Commission has approved Tampa Electric Company's (TECO) request for confidential classification of certain information related to its energy purchases. The decision was made on December 18, 2024, and the information will remain protected for up to 18 months from the date of issuance. The commission ruled that the information in question meets the criteria for proprietary confidential business information, as defined in Section 366.093(3), Florida Statutes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Florida Public Service Commission granted Tampa Electric Company's (TECO) request for confidential classification of certain information related to its energy purchases.
  • The information in question consists of energy purchase amounts pursuant to confidential contracts negotiated between TECO and third-party energy providers.
  • The commission ruled that the information meets the criteria for proprietary confidential business information, as defined in Section 366.093(3), Florida Statutes.
  • The information will remain protected for up to 18 months from the date of issuance, or until the commission finds that it no longer contains proprietary confidential business information.
  • The commission's decision is based on Section 366.093, Florida Statutes, which defines proprietary confidential business information as information that is intended to be and is treated by the company as private, and disclosure of which would cause harm to the company's ratepayers or business operations.
  • The commission's ruling is consistent with the provisions of Section 366.093(1), Florida Statutes, which provides that records found to contain proprietary business information shall be kept confidential and exempt from Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.
  • The commission's decision was made by Commissioner Gabriella Passidomo Smith, as Prehearing Officer.
  • The commission's order is available on the Florida Public Service Commission's website and provides notice of the right to administrative hearing or judicial review.

Statistics:

  • 18 months: time period for which the information will remain protected from disclosure.
  • 25-22.006, Florida Administrative Code: rule referenced in the commission's order regarding the treatment of proprietary confidential business information.
  • 366.093, Florida Statutes: section referenced in the commission's order defining proprietary confidential business information.
  • December 18, 2024: date on which the commission's order was issued.
  • Section 366.093(3), Florida Statutes: section referenced in the commission's order defining proprietary confidential business information.
  • Chapter 119, Florida Statutes: chapter referenced in the commission's order regarding public records and confidentiality.

Sources:

  • Florida Public Service Commission, Order No. PSC-2024-0506-CFO-EI, Docket No. 20240001-EI, issued December 18, 2024.
  • Florida Statutes, Section 366.093.
  • Florida Administrative Code, Rule 25-22.006.