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ORDER NO. PSC -2020 -0154 -PCO -EI <br />DOCKET NO. 20200001 -EI <br />PAGE 3 <br />On April 1, 2020, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) filed its Mid -Course <br />Correction Petition (FPL Petition).6 FPL is seeking authorization to lower its currently - <br />approved 2020 fuel cost recovery factors for the month of May 2020. FPL's current level of <br />actual and projected fuel cost recovery has not breached the 10 percent threshold; thus, the filing <br />was not prompted by the noticing requirement pursuant to Rule 25-6.0424(2), F.A.C. However, <br />FPL indicated that its proposed action is primarily intended to help mitigate the adverse <br />economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. <br />On April 2, 2020, Gulf Power Company (Gulf) filed its Mid -Course Correction Petition <br />(Gulf Petition). Gulf is seeking authorization to issue a line item bill credit for the month of <br />May 2020. <br />On April 2, 2020, Duke Energy Florida, LLC (DEF) filed its Emergency Petition for a <br />Temporary Mid -Course Correction (DEF Petition).8 DEF is seeking authorization to lower its <br />currently -approved fuel cost recovery factors for the month of May 2020. DEF's current level of <br />actual and projected fuel cost recovery has not breached the 10 percent threshold; thus, its filing <br />was not prompted by the noticing requirement pursuant to Rule 25-6.0424(2), F.A.C. As with <br />FPL, DEF indicated in its filing that the proposed action is in response to the adverse economic <br />impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. <br />Effective Dates and Noticing Requirement <br />FPL, Gulf, and DEF have requested that the revised tariffs become effective to essentially <br />produce a one-time bill reduction in the month of May 2020. This matter was voted on at our <br />April 28, 2020 Special Agenda Conference. Typically, effective dates are set a minimum of 30 <br />days after a vote modifying charges. This time limit is imposed in order to avoid having new <br />rates applied to energy consumed before the effective date of our action, i.e., the date of the vote. <br />However, we have implemented charges as a result of mid -course corrections in less than 30 <br />days when circumstances warrant.9 Further, the Florida Supreme Court has recognized that the <br />fuel clause proceeding "is a continuous proceeding and operates to a utility's benefit by <br />eliminating regulatory lag."10 In this instance, there can be no prejudice to the customers <br />because their total rate would be decreasing, not increasing. Further, by implementing the <br />modifications at this time customers will receive the benefit of reduced fuel rates as quickly as <br />administratively possible. <br />We have jurisdiction in this matter pursuant to Sections 366.04, 366.05, and 366.06, <br />Florida Statutes (F.S.). <br />'Document No. 01718-2020. <br />'Document No. 01730-2020. <br />8Document No. 01736-2020. <br />9Order No. PSC -15 -0161 -PCO -EI, issued April 30, 2015, in Docket No. 150001 -EI, In re: Fuel and purchased <br />power cost recovery clause and generating performance incentive factor (rates reduced 15 days before billing cycle <br />began.) <br />10Gulf Power Company v. Florida Public Service Commission, 487 So. 2d. 1036, 1038 (Fla. 1986). <br />