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ORDER NO. PSC -2020 -0488 -TRF -EI <br />DOCKET NO. 20200227 -EI <br />PAGE 2 <br />provide assistance to small businesses that may be most impacted by the economic effects of the <br />pandemic. In addition, this program is designed to augment the objectives of the utility's current <br />economic development tariffs, which are designed for its medium -to -large business customers. <br />This program will offer qualifying customers a 10 percent energy charge credit on their <br />bill each month through December 2021. To qualify, a customer must receive service under the <br />General Service, General Service Time of Use, or General Service Constant Usage rate schedule; <br />not exceed a monthly demand of 21 kilowatts; and meet one of the following criteria: <br />• The customer resumes business operations in a space that was previously <br />inoperative for a minimum of six months; or <br />• The customer is a new business account; or <br />• The customer is located in an "Opportunity Zone," as defined by the U.S. <br />Department of the Treasury. <br />FPL considered several factors when developing the qualification criteria for the <br />program. In determining the closure impact qualification, the utility noted that most small <br />businesses were required to shut down in the March/April time -frame and remained closed until <br />at least September, demonstrating an approximate six-month closure period. We find that FPL's <br />six-month approach is reasonable given the impact of the pandemic; however, the utility stated that it <br />is not opposed to considering additional time parameters.' In addition, the utility believes the <br />economic impact of the pandemic has increased the challenges of opening new small businesses, <br />and allowing new customers to qualify for the program would support their development and <br />expansion. <br />Additionally, FPL noted that Opportunity Zones are designated by the U.S. Department <br />of the Treasury, pursuant to the Opportunity Zone Program, which was created by the Federal <br />Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This program is designed to encourage businesses, developers <br />and financial institutions to invest long-term capital in low-income census tract areas. FPL <br />stated that there are approximately 170,000 qualifying customers operating in Opportunity Zones <br />within its service territory.3 <br />To enroll in the program, a qualifying customer would submit an application request at <br />any point prior to December 2021. FPL would notify potential customers about the program <br />through its traditional communication protocol, which includes e -newsletters, social media and <br />its website. In addition, the utility would execute targeted communications to small businesses <br />in its Opportunity Zones. <br />Once enrolled, each month's bill credit would be calculated using the customer's prior <br />month Base Energy Charge multiplied by the percentage discount. For new businesses, the first <br />month's credit will be estimated based on previous service, premise size, and estimated energy <br />usage for similar businesses. The credit would be applied to a customer's bill as a separate, <br />program -specific line credit. Under this program, FPL anticipates approximately $16 million in <br />I FPL's Response to StafFs First Data Request, Question 2. <br />2 FPL's Response to StafFs First Data Request, Question 3. <br />3 FPL's Response to StafFs First Data Request, Question 1. <br />3 <br />