TALLAHASSEE — After jettisoning a “counter proposal,” state regulators Monday waded into a rate case that could lead to Florida Power & Light customers paying billions of additional dollars in the coming years.

The Florida Public Service Commission began what could be a two-week hearing that includes voluminous technical and financial information as FPL seeks increases in base electric rates.

“This is a large case. It is complex. It is obviously controversial,” said James Brew, an attorney for the Florida Retail Federation, one of a wide range of groups and businesses that have intervened in the case.

FPL President and CEO Armando Pimentel, the opening witness, said the utility has provided reliable electricity amid rapid growth. FPL has been operating under a rate settlement approved i

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