Duke Energy Florida is returning $90.5 million to its customers this summer, a move stemming from over-collection during the 2024 hurricane season. This refund will provide relief to more than 2 million customers across the state.
The Florida Public Service Commission authorized the refund after Duke Energy collected excessive funds for hurricane restoration costs, which totaled over $1 billion—far exceeding the actual expenses of about $915.3 million. The payout will continue through September.
Customers will notice a reduction in their fuel charge on bills from June through September, effectively lowering it by 0.562 cents per kilowatt-hour. This means the monthly fuel charge will drop from 4.414 cents per kilowatt-hour to 3.852 cents.
Key facts:
- Duke Energy Florida serves over 2 million customers across 35 counties.
- The storm charge was originally set to end in February 2026 but concluded a month early.
- No action is required from customers; the refund will be automatically applied to accounts.
Officials have stated that this decision reflects a commitment to transparency and fairness in billing practices. To ensure customers are reimbursed, the Commission directed that the over-collected funds be returned through a temporary reduction in fuel charges.
This refund comes at a critical time for many Floridians as they face rising energy costs amidst ongoing recovery efforts from past hurricanes like Debby, Helene, and Milton.