QUICK BITS
GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS IS- SUED EXECUTIVE ORDER 2022- 278 , ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR FLORIDA HOUSE DISTRICT 24 .
Earlier this month , Representative Joe Harding resigned from his position , creating a vacancy in the State Legislature . By issuing an order for a special election in the district , Governor DeSantis has set the dates of March 7 , 2023 , for the primary election and May 16 , 2023 , for the general election .
UTILITY STORM-PROTECTION COSTS DRAWS CHALLENGE
News Service of Florida
The state Office of Public Counsel , which represents consumers in utility issues , launched a challenge Monday to the approval of costs that electric utilities would be able to recoup in 2023 from customers for storm-protection projects . The Office of Public Counsel filed a notice that is a first step in appealing to the Florida Supreme Court a Dec . 12 order by the state Public Service Commission approving the costs , according to a copy of the notice posted on the commission website . The notice did not detail arguments that the Office of Public Counsel will make at the Supreme Court . But the move came after the Office of Public Counsel last week filed notices that it would challenge the commission ’ s approval of plans that are used in determining the costs . The challenges involve plans and costs for Florida Power & Light , Duke Energy Florida , Tampa Electric Co . and Florida Public Utilities Co . The issues are tied to a 2019 state law that passed after Hurricane Irma , Hurricane Michael and other storms caused widespread power outages . Utilities file 10-year storm-protection plans with the commission and then are able to seek money from customers annually to carry out the plans , which include such things as adding underground power lines .
28 DITCHMEN • DECEMBER 2022