Irving Friedman, an 89-year-old disabled World War II Navy veteran and recovering heart patient was in a panic after Florida Power & Light said in a letter that it would cut off his power Thursday. Friedman, of Port St. Lucie, like 82 other FPL customers, had declined a change-out from an analog meter to a smart meter and had also refused to pay an $89 one-time enrollment fee plus $13 a month FPL now charges those who want to keep their old meters. With the cutoff looming, Friedman contacted FPL on Thursday and paid the fees which have accumulated since June. He owed $168, but after FPL agreed to remove late fees, he settled his bill for $133 and will start paying the $13 monthly fee. The cut-off date varies depending on the customer’s billing cycle, but the disconnects are imminent, FPL spokesman Dave McDermitt said. “They have received regular, numerous communications from us over the last many months,” McDermitt said. “Disconnection is always a last resort, but it is going to happen unless the fee has been paid.” FPL’s $800 million smart meter roll out for residences and small and medium-sized businesses began in 2009 and was completed in 2013. Except for 6,500 customers who opted to pay the fees to keep their old meters and the 82 who have refused to pay the fees, the rest of FPL’s 4.7 million customers have smart meters.
(850) 701-3677
Florida Redevelopment News Clips
