PAGE 3 - September 2, 2009
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Protest Against Progress Energy from page 1
Squawk Box
- Continued from page 1
of 10,000 protest signatures already collected by the group. According to Franks, the peti-
s366.93, it has unquestionably given a private corporation, PEF a special privilege to levy a
tions will all end up with the Public Service Commission, which will meet in Tallahassee
“tax” on it’s 1.7M ratepayers. The rate payers will receive no benefit from these charges, and
November 19 for final testimony and a vote by the PSC on the PE base rate increase. Many
PEF is receiving not only our hard earned dollars (approximately $144M since January 2009),
of this group and volunteers will attend. Franks said approximately 144 million dollars has
but all the benefit from collecting interest free money for their preconstruction costs on our
already been collected for preconstruction costs in just 8 months on PE bills and that there
dime. This action by Progress Energy has violated our rights of equal protection under the law
was no provision right now to return the dollars to the PE customers if the nuclear plant is
as it pertains to Consumer Protection. We now find ourselves treated as a seperate class of
not built. Franks stated, “we tried twice to present these petitions to Governor Crist and seek
energy rate payer and citizens here in Florida, but it feels like we are being treated as second
his aid on this most pressing issue, but, alas, he was unable to set up a meeting with us, also
class citizens.
adding, but Crist had time to meet with and celebrate Smokey The Bear’s 65th birthday.”
For that reason I intend to file a complaint with the Florida State Attorney
Renee McPheeters, who lost to incumbent Dennis Damato in the last Citrus County
General’s Office today, and encourage others to do the same by contacting his website at
dorothy.pernu@hma.com
Commission election, while getting 46.09 % of the votes, emphasized she was against the PE
www.myfloridalegal.com. note: We tried twice to present these petitions to Governor Crist to
proposed $500 billion rate hike and the preconstruction charges. McPheeters said, besides
seek his aid on this most pressing issue, but, alas, he was unable to set up a meeting with us.
mullallyb@gmail.com
objecting to exorbitant charges, she is working on the removal of Florida Statute 366.93 that
We were able to enter these along with over 7000 other signatures protesting and demanding
enforces charges to ratepayer citizens for preconstruction of a nuclear power plant, stating
repeal of s366.93 into the record of the Public Service Commission.” Suzan Franks
also that “our economy is based on the free enterprise system - not legislatively enforced
Chassahowitzka residents see reductions in assessments
charges for a private corporation that has been taking advantage of a community who has
been victimized by an energy monopoly. All preconstruction costs should be credited back
Residents on the new sewer system serving Chassahowitzka got some good news
to the rate payers. Our legislators took an oath to “Support, Protect and Defend the Consti-
recently when the federal government notified the county that a long-standing wastewater
tution. Let’s not allow unfair rates that are equivalent to taxation without representation. If
grant application had been approved.
our legislators fail to remove s366.93 action will be taken to remove them from office. If we
It took about two years, but what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
have to - we will have another Boston Tea Party.”
grant means is that the $6,200 assessment approximately 600 residents had to pay to get
Mike Gudis, Crystal River accountant and financial advisor, made the point of
sewer and water will be reduced by about $1,900.
“greedy that PE is asking for an increase in rates to guarantee a 12% return on equity when
we are lucky to get 1.75% on a 1 yr CD.” Gudis also made the point that “many of us will not
be around who pay for preconstruction costs for nuclear power plants that may not be built
for 10 to 14 years.” Gudis feels “the legislation passed to permit PE and others to charge
customers for preconstruction costs is unconstitutional, Section 11 of the Florida Constitu-
tion - under prohibited laws.” See this week's Squawk Box.
Brian A. Mullally, M.D.
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