Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners urge Florida Power and Light to extend shut-off moratoriums

Miami, FL — On Thursday afternoon, The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCC) passed a resolution calling Florida Power and Light (FPL) to 1) suspend any service disconnections until 60 days after the state of emergency in Miami ends, 2) provide bill forgiveness for residents experiencing unemployment as a result of COVID-19, Asset Limited Income Constrained but Employed (ALICE) residents, and energy burdened residents, and 3) eliminate late fees and back charges. The Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the resolution.

This call to action comes in response to growing community concern and outreach to the Board. Advocates with the Miami Climate Alliance Clean Energy Working Group have been working with commissioners to connect with residents at risk of losing power, an effort that revealed shallow and limited relief options from FPL, which included a one-time 25 percent bill reduction in May. Now, advocates are asking BCC to set up local relief funds to help pay bills.

Close to 3 million Floridians have filed for unemployment and statewide daily highs of COVID-19 cases have been in the tens of thousands. In this crisis, there is delayed and very little relief for families, especially in terms of being able to make monthly bill payments. More must be done to hold FPL accountable and prevent shut-offs, and we invite all community members to join us in advocating for relief by visiting MiamiClimateAlliance.org or following us on social media.

In response to the Board’s vote, Mayra Cruz, Miami Climate Alliance member and Climate Resilience Program Manager at Catalyst Miami, responded:

“As the pandemic and layoffs worsen, Miami has entered hurricane season and is experiencing hotter temperatures than normal. It is cruel and tone-deaf of FPL to plan shutoffs as many struggle to keep their AC on at this time. We thank our officials for bringing important community concerns to FPL and invite impacted families to join the Miami Climate Alliance in advocating for immediate relief."

MacKenzie Marcelin, New Florida Majority Climate Justice Organizer, said:

"Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida Power and Light has only given residents a one-time 25 percent decrease and offered inadequate relief programs. As we move into the fifth month of this pandemic, COVID-19 cases and energy bills continue to rise. Families and individuals in Miami-Dade are struggling and we need to push FPL to extend the shut-off moratorium, expand its relief program and provide more bill reductions as this crisis continues.”

County Commissioner, Daniella Levine Cava, said:

“As people struggle to survive in this health and economic crisis, electricity is a lifeline. We urge FPL to use this opportunity to lift up all its customers, to recognize that they can save lives and prevent catastrophe for so many.”

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