We invite you to sign on to this critical letter calling on FPL to (1) PROVIDE CLEAR AND EASY TO ACCESS DETAILS AROUND LATE FEES (2) NOT BACK CHARGE CUSTOMERS WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED (3) RECONNECT CUSTOMERS WHO EXPERIENCED DISCONNECTIONS PRIOR TO DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY (4) FORMALLY SUSPEND DISCONNECTIONS FOR THE 30-DAYS FOLLOWING THE END OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY. See the letter below.
If you have any questions, please contact Mayra Cruz (
mayrac@catalystmiami.org) or MacKenzie Marcelin (
mackenzie@newfloridamajority.org)
Hello Mr. Silagy,
Thank you for your statement to suspend disconnections, provide payment extensions and waive certain late payment fees for FPL customers during Florida’s declared state of emergency. We commend you for placing protections for those who are experiencing financial hardships now and in the unforeseeable future. While these measures will provide relief, we must ask for further assistance at this time.
The global coronavirus pandemic has drastically worsened the public health and economic conditions of Florida residents. The state continues to see an exponential rise in COVID-19, with 20,601 cases, 461 deaths, and 2,694 hospitalizations as of today. In Miami-Dade County alone there are 7,241 cases. So far, a historic 227,000 Floridians filed for unemployment with that number expected to increase as the state undergoes a stay-at-home order for at least 30 days. Currently there is a backlog of 500,000 unemployment applications with hundreds of thousands more having problems accessing and completing the applications. Floridians in this situation may have to wait for weeks before receiving checks. The economic crisis continues to worsen every day with very little immediate relief for families. We are greatly concerned about future utility disconnections beyond the declared state of emergency, the inability of families to pay for their electric bills in the coming weeks, and undue stress placed on those who are financially struggling to make ends meet during this outbreak.
We ask for more clarity for customers by addressing the following requests:
(1) PROVIDE CLEAR AND EASY TO ACCESS DETAILS AROUND LATE FEES, who qualifies for FPL’s relief programs, and how people should apply for these relief programs on your website. Consumers would be greatly served by providing those details in a way organizations and advocates can clearly communicate to them. As previously stated, those who are currently unemployed and applying for relief are experiencing many roadblocks. FPL can provide relief and stability at this time by creating an easily accessible and streamlined system for those experiencing hardships due to COVID-19. In addition to publishing this information to advocates and online, we recommend an FPL COVID-19 hotline number for customers to receive immediate assistance in multiple languages.
(2) DO NOT BACK CHARGE CUSTOMERS WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED for accrued usage once the suspension period ends. Given the increase in financial burdens, struggling families should not be expected to pay late fees or higher bills once the state of emergency is lifted. We hope this will be announced to the public through a variety of contact methods like emails, letters, and website updates.
(3) RECONNECT CUSTOMERS WHO EXPERIENCED DISCONNECTIONS PRIOR TO DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY. For FPL customers who experienced disconnections prior to the declared state of emergency, we ask for transparency around whether those customers have been reconnected during this time.
(4) FORMALLY SUSPEND DISCONNECTIONS FOR THE 30-DAYS FOLLOWING THE END OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY in order to allow our community to get back on its feet in these trying times. The impacts of this outbreak will be felt for months beyond the declared state of emergency and families may still be waiting for economic assistance during this time. Creating a cushion and a grace period after the state of emergency ends will go a long way to supporting families struggling to get back on their feet.
Please let us know if you would like to discuss any of these requests and recommendations at greater length. We would be glad to work together to ensure our communities and local economies are healthy, safe and protected during this time. Thank you again for your time, consideration and effort to support our most vulnerable community members during this time. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Catalyst Miami
CLEO Institute
Community Justice Project
Dream Defenders
Engage Miami
Family Action Network Movement (FANM)
Florida Immigrant Coalition
Konscious Kontractors
Miami Climate Alliance
New Florida Majority
Organize Florida
Radical Partners
Sierra Club
Struggle for Miami’s Affordable and Sustainable Housing (SMASH)
The Black Collective
Community Leaders:
Nancy Metayer, Former Supervisor, Broward Soil and Water Conservation District, Environmental Advocate
Nicole Crooks, Overtown Community Advocate
Miami-Dade:
Commissioner Jean Monestime, Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners
Commissioner Eileen Higgins, Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners
Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners
Clerk Vanessa Joseph, City of North Miami
Councilmember Reginald Leon, City of Miami Gardens
Commissioner Michael Joseph, City of North Miami Beach
Councilmember Mary Estime-Irvin, City of North Miami
Vice Mayor Chris Davis, City of Opa-Locka
Commissioner Joshua Simmons, City of Coral Springs
Commissioner McKenzie Fleurimond, City of North Miami Beach
Broward:
Mayor Dale Holness, Broward County
Sabrina Javellana, Vice Mayor of Hallandale Beach
Supervisor Alissa Schafer, Broward Soil and Water Conservation District
Supervisor Emma Collum, Broward Soil & Water Conservation District
Board Member Robin Bartleman, Broward County School Board
Commissioner Mike Gelin, City of Tamarac
Palm Beach:
Councilmember Daniel Sohn, Town of Haverhill
Commissioner Brandon Smith, City of West Park
Vice Mayor Brian Johnson, City of West Park
Commissioner Christina Romelus, City of Boynton Beach
Orange County:
State Representative Anna Eskamani, Florida House of Representatives
