But Jack McRay, a lobbyist for the senior-advocacy group AARP, which also takes part in utility cases, supported moving the public counsel under the attorney general. McRay said the attorney general is responsible for consumer protection and that the Office of Public Counsel should answer to one official if it does not adequately represent consumers, instead of answering to 160 lawmakers.
McRay said he thinks Kelly does a good job as public counsel. “This is not an issue about J.R. Kelly, however,” McRay said. “This is an issue about the Office of Public Counsel.”
The bill also drew questions about potential changes to the rate-making process for utilities. The Public Service Commission periodically takes up requests from utilities to raise base electric rates, a complicated process that involves extensive technical evidence and lengthy hearings.
As an example, the commission late last year approved a settlement in a rate case filed by Florida Power & Light. The settlement included $811 million in base-rate increases spread over three years. Also, the commission is scheduled March 20 to start a hearing on a proposal by Gulf Power to raise base rates.
