JUNO BEACH, Fla. – Florida Power & Light Company today announced its plans to expand its coronavirus (COVID-19) relief effort by providing new credits for qualifying small businesses, as the company continues its steadfast support of adversely impacted customers during the global pandemic.
If approved by the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC), the FPL Main Street Recovery Credit Program would be available to three categories:
- New small businesses
- Small businesses that were inactive for at least six months
- Existing small businesses operating in communities under the Opportunity Zones Program designated by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Qualifying small businesses would receive a monthly 10% credit on the energy charge portion of their bill for the duration of the program.
“Despite COVID-19’s unpredictability and disruptiveness, one thing remains clear – we are in this together and we are committed to finding solutions for those in need,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy. “FPL immediately implemented special COVID-19 policies in mid-March, including offering payment extensions, postponing disconnections and waiving fees. And, we never stop working to find innovative ways to help our customers most in need. Offering new bill credits to small businesses and independent stores that make up the fabric of our communities is one more way FPL is helping to rebuild our economy and move Florida forward.”
Pending FPSC approval, the company plans to implement the FPL Main Street Recovery Credit Program for eligible small businesses as soon as possible and offer it through the end of 2021. The company will provide additional information in the coming weeks regarding how eligible small businesses will be able to apply for the new credits.
Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest energy company in the United States as measured by retail electricity produced and sold, serving more than 5.1 million customer accounts or an estimated 10 million+ people across the state of Florida. FPL’s typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30% lower than the latest national average and among the lowest in the U.S. FPL’s service reliability is better than 99.98%, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all electric companies nationwide. The company was recognized in 2020 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Escalent for the seventh consecutive year. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,900 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, and has been ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune’s 2020 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.” NextEra Energy is also the parent company of Gulf Power Company, which serves approximately 470,000 customers in eight counties throughout northwest Florida, and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.GulfPower.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.