TALLAHASSEE — Ratcheting up a battle about a proposed , opponents have offered a "counter proposal" that would trim potential increases over the next four years.

FPL quickly criticized the new proposal, which was filed Tuesday by the state Office of Public Counsel — an agency designated in law to represent consumers in utility issues — and four groups that are parties in the FPL case.

The new filing appeared to put down a marker for what could be a contentious hearing in October at the Florida Public Service Commission in a rate case involving billions of dollars.

As an indication, the Office of Public Counsel and its allies identified themselves Aug. 26 as the “customer majority parties,” while identifying FPL and groups and businesses that hammered out the utility’s proposed settlemen

See Full Page