Florida Power & Light is seeking state approval to increase customer’s base rates by 31%.

Although consumer advocates say the rate hike is too high, FPL officials say the increase is necessary and will ultimately reduce customer’s bills.

“One of the reasons we’ve been able to keep bills low is that we’ve invested in infrastructure to make our plants very fuel efficient,” FPL spokesperson Jackie Anderson said. “Over the past six years we’ve actually been able to save our customers about $3 billion in fuel costs. This proposal will allow us to continue to make those kinds of investments, and we’re actually projecting that we’ll be able to save customers about $1 billion a year starting in 2014.”

Currently, FPL customers pay about $25 less a month than those of Florida’s 53 other utility companies.

The new rates would go into effect Jan. 1, 2010.

The Public Service Commission will host a public forum on the issue at 11 a.m., June 19, at the Sarasota City Commission chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

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