UTILITIES BILLING PROBLEMS

One of the utility companies that serves counties in rural Northwest Florida that were impacted by Hurricane Michael has asked state regulators Tuesday for permission to suspend sending bills to customers while power restoration continues. Florida Public Utilities has about 13,000 customers in Jackson, Calhoun and Liberty counties, said they continue to have problems delivering mail after the storm. Under the proposal, the utility would suspend sending bills to customers in each county until electric service has been restored to all customers in that particular county. Billing would likely begin again first in Liberty County, followed by Jackson and Calhoun and customers would not face late fees or interest on bills. Duke Energy Florida, which provides electric service in Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla counties, made a similar request last week.