• Duke Energy Florida reduces proposed bill increases for customers due to lower projected natural gas prices.
• The company made filings in January to recoup additional money from customers due to higher-than-expected gas prices in 2022 and hurricane-related costs.
• The Public Service Commission is scheduled to take up proposed increases for Duke, Florida Power & Light, and Tampa Electric Co. on March 7, which could take effect in April.

With projected prices of natural gas dropping, Duke Energy Florida on Monday trimmed proposed bill increases that likely will hit customers in April. Duke made filings in January at the Public Service Commission seeking to recoup additional money from customers because of higher-than-expected gas prices in 2022 and hurricane-related costs.

But in a filing Monday, Duke said lower projected gas prices in 2023 will help offset part of the proposed increases.

“Duke Energy wanted to take immediate steps to provide cost relief for our customers,” Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, said in a prepared statement. “We understand some families are facing financial pressures and encourage anyone who needs assistance to reach out to us.”

In addressing rates, utilities rely on a benchmark of residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month.

Under Duke’s January filings, customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours a month would have seen their bills go from the current $165.55 to $199.04. But with the reductions made Monday, those bills would go from $165.55 to $190.56. The Public Service Commission is slated March 7 to take up proposed increases for Duke, Florida Power & Light and Tampa Electric Co. If approved, the increases would take effect in April.