#United States #Duke Energy #Hurricane Milton #St. Petersburg #Hurricane Debby

Duke Energy Florida's Response to the 2024 Hurricane Season

In light of the devastating 2024 hurricane season, Duke Energy Florida has taken significant steps to address the impact of three major hurricanes: Debby, Helene, and Milton. As part of its commitment to recovery, the company has filed a plan with the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) which seeks to recover $1.1 billion in expenses incurred during the emergency activation and response.

Throughout the season, the company mobilized an impressive workforce of over 27,000 personnel, ensuring that approximately 2 million customers affected by these storms had their power restored as quickly as possible. The sheer volume of resources and labor needed speaks volumes about the intensity of the situation. Each of the hurricanes presented uniquely challenging conditions, but Duke Energy was committed to restoring services efficiently.

The Hurricanes: An Overview

The 2024 hurricane season marked an unprecedented challenge for the utility company. Here are some key details regarding each storm:

• - Hurricane Debby (Category 1):

- Outages: Approximately 350,000 reported.
- Mobilization: 3,000 workers and resources.
- Restoration: 90% of outages restored within 24 hours.

• - Hurricane Helene (Category 4):

- Outages: 800,000 reported.
- Mobilization: 8,600 workers involved.
- Restoration: Most outages (excluding hardest-hit areas) were resolved within 72 hours.

• - Hurricane Milton (Category 3):

- Outages: 1 million reported.
- Mobilization: 16,000 personnel deployed.
- Restoration: 95% of outages restored within four days.

These rigorous efforts highlight Duke Energy's dedication not only to restoring power but also to ensuring safety and reliability amidst the chaos of nature’s fury.

Financial Aspects of the Recovery

The filing submitted by Duke Energy includes projections for the financial impacts that these storms have incurred. As it stands, residential customers can expect to see an approximate increase of $21 per 1,000 kWh in their monthly electricity bills starting in March 2025. While the complete storm recovery charge totals around $31, the effective increase will be mitigated by seasonal adjustments that reduce this figure to better align with customer affordability.

Furthermore, this storm recovery charge will stay in place until the end of February 2026, ensuring that the costs are managed over time. Duke Energy has reassured its customers that despite the financial toll, its overarching goal is to maintain affordable utilities while also enhancing the resilience of the electrical grid against future extreme weather events.

Commitment to Customers

Duke Energy Florida recognizes the hardships that can arise from such events and has put several financial assistance programs in place. They’ve introduced options that include flexible billing solutions and the Share the Light Fund®, aiming to help customers navigate the financial impacts of these storms.

In discussions about the challenges faced, Melissa Seixas, the state president of Duke Energy Florida, emphasized the importance of continuing to improve response and recovery processes. In the face of increasingly severe weather patterns, the company is committed to ongoing investments that bolster infrastructure and ensure reliability.

Conclusion

The 2024 hurricane season serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by natural disasters and the critical role of energy providers in crisis response. Duke Energy Florida's comprehensive approach to recovery and restoration illustrates not only its commitment to its customers but also a proactive stance towards future resilience. As preparations continue for what future weather events may bring, the company's focus remains on effective recovery, customer support, and infrastructure improvement, all while navigating the complexities of financial recovery efforts.