2023 www.jacksonville.com. And additional reporting since last year has made it clear the leakedMatrix records contain legitimate information. We may need some portion of our energy to still come from fossil fuels, because there are industrial processes that are hard to electrify, she said. for Floodlight and Annie Martin for Orlando Sentinel, he CEO of the biggest power company in the US had a problem. Here is why and how much. A dark money non-profit called "Grow United" is at the center of the scandal, with records showing direct communication with and invoices to FPL. From the beginning, Matrix showed no aversion to unsavory political tactics. Bob Self/Florida Times-Union. 'Off-the-books political strategy':FPL consultants secretly took command, control of Florida news website, reports say, Nate Monroe:Surveillance records at the heart of a tangled mess between FPL and a former consultant. Developing a green hydrogen plant on the site of the former Indiantown coal plant. She likened it to comparing emissions from a personal car used once a week and a city bus that takes many trips. At the start of the Monday earnings call, Ketchum, the NextEra chief executive, directly addressed the media reports and federal election complaint. He is also suing Perkins, alleging defamation and extortion. Its parent company, NextEra Energy, has commissioned two separate investigations - one internal, one by an outside law firm - following reporting by Florida newspapers, the non-profit news outlet Floodlight and NPR. However, those policies are coming under fire as utilities become. That same year, a consultant told the Jacksonville City Council that taking JEA privatewould "likelyrepresent the largest and most complex" transaction of its kind in the United States. View MapReport Outage About FPL Company News Careers Environment Community Donate to Care To Share Rates and Your Bill At the Birmingham office where Pitts and the others had worked, Perkins said he found a backup server that appeared to have been beaten with something. The non-profit, called Broken Promises, first donated the funds to a political committee called Consumers for Energy Fairness. On the outskirts of Wellington, just before 20-Mile Bend, stands a behemoth of a power plant on a site as big as 166 football fields. "And we support organizations who had that mission.". That candidate later admitted he was bribed to run. Responding to dark money controversy, NextEra did internal investigation into FPL. It is a regulated monopoly which means that the. hide caption. When the small south Florida citys mayor helped pass an ordinance in 2017 mandating rooftop solar panels on new construction, a network of 10 FPL-aligned operatives mobilized to ensure his ouster. Rooftop solar in Florida expanded slowly until 2018 when the Florida Public Service Commission allowed electricity customers to lease solar systems with little or no upfront costs. He argued that customers with rooftop solar are being subsidized by other customers who continue to buy electricity and pay to maintain the power grid. Letsgetstarted. Records obtained by the Sentinel also show overlap between Grow United and previous campaigns to overhaul net metering. And in 2020, Matrix even harnessed the power of the press for itself, when its employees acquired control of The Capitolist, a Tallahassee-based political news site which it used for favorable coverage, leaked records show. The utility company also contributes to many Democrats and to the Florida Democratic Party. Knowing this may inspire consumers to seek out energy-efficient solutions in their own homes like LED lighting, efficient air conditioners or improving insulation and be more aware of the electricity they use, how they use it and perhaps use less. FPL CEO Eric Silagy (left) speaks with Gov. Silagy, CEO since 2014, will depart the company in April. Get the FPL Mobile App. In Florida, Matrixs work touched almost every level of politics, from influencing local mayoral and county commission elections to combating attempts to reshape the state constitution. Flight data shows Matrixs planes made more than 130 flights to five states in 2020 alone, frequently crisscrossing the south-eastern US but also traveling as far west as New Mexico. FPLs CEO Silagy in a recent interview denied knowing about or participating in the scheme against Rodrguez but said that Matrix had done good work for his company. In each of those cases, Matrix was working against politicians or policies fighting to curb the climate crisis by encouraging renewable power. "Based on the information we have, we . An Alabama governor the company worked for was convicted of federal felony corruption charges. In 2013, Terry Dunn, a Republican electricity regulator at Alabamas Public Service Commission made moves to hold formal hearings on how customers energy bills were calculated something that hadnt happened in three decades. Howard Crystal, an attorney for the environmental group Center for Biological Diversity, said that US utilities are allowed monopoly power because they are supposed to expand the public interest. Matrix affiliated groups have also worked to advance power companies interests in Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and in front of the Environmental Protection Agency, public records show. Its parent company had initiated an investigation of related media reports there. Ten days later, Heffley wrote Holley again. Perkins and Pitts sued each other, with Pitts claiming his former mentor had never followed through on handing over the company despite years of discussions. Under Floridas current arrangement, homes and businesses that generate less than 2 megawatts of solar power can sell the excess back to their utility in exchange for a bill credit of 11 cents per kWh. One person affiliated with Grow United is Abbie MacIver, who formerly worked for Energy Fairness, a group that encourages policymakers to consider the cost of energy choices, as well as their benefits. Last year, McClure sent a letter to state regulators at the Florida Public Service Commission citing the result and urging it to update its net-metering rule. During an investigation by this newspaper, as well as the Sentinel and Floodlight, FPL became at least vaguely threatening about our decision to continue reporting. The largest city served by the supplier is Jacksonville, but the company also provides electricity to 243 cities in Florida. FPL consultants also used Broken Promises to boost a spoiler candidate in a 2018 state senate race in Gainesville, FL, according to previous reporting from Miami Herald. The state senator went on to lose re-election by six votes. Upon realizing the extent of Pittss shadow operations and abuses of power, we filed our lawsuit against Pitts and those few rogue employees.. A note of gratitude to our friends at the Orlando Sentinel and Floodlight News, with whom we have worked in partnership to report our stories. "We could even do it stealthily so we could inject content into all those publications and nobody has to know who's actually pulling the strings," he wrote. invested millions into groups with untraceable, anonymous donors that launched attacks on state and local politicians. The solar industry disagrees, pointing to research that shows rooftop solar penetration is low enough in most states that the effects of distributed solar on retail electricity prices will likely remain negligible for the foreseeable future.. DeSantis, who is attempting to build a populist profile ahead of a presidential run in 2024,has turned on FPL, having used his veto pen earlier this year to kill one of the utility's highest legislative priorities a controversial bill that would have limited the growth of the residential rooftop solar industryin Florida. So Florida Power & Light did something about it. They work off intimidating. The financial entanglement between FPL and The Capitolist dated back to 2018, records leaked to the Miami Herald show, when an FPL vice president suggested the website publish a critical piece on DeSantis' Democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum. Jeff Weiner for the Orlando Sentinel contributed reporting, A moral imperative: how southern ministers are trying to change minds about the climate crisis, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License by Energy and Policy Institute. These customers are a mix of 88.48% residential customer accounts, 11.29% commercial customers and 0.22% industrial properties. As such, it would seem the FPL plantsinclusion on the list is unfair. Pairing solar energy centers with battery storage, including the worlds largest battery in Manatee County. To work around the independent, traditional media, former Matrix employees took a more direct route to influence the public narrative about Florida Power & Light. Rodrguez was ousted from office in the next election. Perkins and Pitts worked together for more than 25 years, expanding the firm into a national operation with dozens of clients in myriad industries. In comparison, the top carbon-emitting plant on the list is a coal-powered one in Missouri that produced 16.5 million megawatt hours of energy but emitted almost 1,009 kilograms of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour less energy, but more emissions. Records from the Florida Senate show that Florida Power & Light drafted the bill, and lobbyist John Holley delivered it to Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Florida Power & Lights parent company followed up with a $10,000 contribution to her political committee. Three people were federally convicted for their role in the ploy. Theres no time and its urgent, she said. Florida Power & Light denied any wrongdoing related to political campaigns. I feel rooftop solar is beneficial to the environment, and Floridians. Silagy, who has been with the company for 20 years, has led FPL since 2011, having risen through the ranks by serving as chief development officer and senior vice president of regulatory and state governmental affairs. They proposed offering a job to Garrett Dennis, a member of the Jacksonville City Council who had been outspoken against selling JEA. But Florida Power & Light is arguing rooftop solar could cost Florida utilities about $700 million between 2019 and 2025, according to documents submitted to the Florida Public Service Commission. In all races, the Republican won the election. Records show FPL trusted Matrix operatives with millions, including giving $14m to a single Matrix-run nonprofit in 2018 alone. The plan ultimately failed, and Stoddard was re-elected. Records obtained by Floodlight and the Orlando Sentinel show that Matrix consulted for FPL, as well as another Florida company, Gulf Power, and Alabama Power. Last June, Florida Power & Light spokesperson David Reuter wrote that the initial review had exonerated the company: "This detailed report found no evidence of illegality or wrongdoing on the part of FPL or any of its employees." So they opted instead for Mayor Stoddards electoral defeat and changing the makeup of the board, according to a 2018 memo from Dan Newman, a Matrix contractor who was similarly involved in the campaign against Rodrguez. In other words, FPL's gas-fired plant produced almost 20% more power but with a third of the emissions as the coal-powered plant. Butone thing the leaked Matrix records make clear isthat more secrets remain on the firm's hard drive. About a decade ago, FPL made the fateful decision to hire Matrix LLC, an Alabama-based political consulting firm notorious in its home state but with little public profile in Florida. Two days later, Florida Division of Elections records show, Florida Power & Lights parent company, NextEra Energy, gave $10,000 to Bradleys political committee, Women Building the Future. In May 2018, FPL's sprawling utility empire laid claim to both boundaries,reaching a pinnacle of power and influence rare even among the mega-corporations that call Florida home. Florida Power & Light is the largest electric utility in the state, serving more than 11 million people across vast swaths of Florida. The bill also allows utilities to charge rooftop solar customers more, by adding in facility charges, grid access fees and minimum monthly payments. In 1998, the firm distributed copies of a video in which a sex worker falsely alleged she had been sexually assaulted by a candidate for lieutenant governor. Hannah Morse covers consumer issues for The Palm Beach Post. Customers who are already using rooftop solar power before 2023 would be grandfathered in and keep their previous compensation rates for 10 years. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Energy poles by Florida Power and Light from Turkey Point nuclear generating station in Miami, Florida. That statement was made before additional rounds of damaging disclosures prompted the investigation by the outside law firm. Early in the evening of Nov. 26, 2019, the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, a political consultant working for utility giant Florida Power & Light sent a pair of confidential documents to an email . In California, regulators plan to increase fees on rooftop solar customers. Along with a private investigator, the group delved into Stoddards past for episodes to weaponize against him, such as a South Miami commissioners claim on Facebook that Stoddard had forcibly kissed her. 3:12. The consultants pitched and supported tactics designed toembarrassindividualreporters who they believed had crossed their client's interests. The Governor also has veto power over legislation that Floridas GOP-majority legislature passes. NextEra Energy said its political committee did not make its contribution to Bradleys campaign with an expectation of favor.. Florida Power & Light, one of the largest utilities in the country, abruptly announced the retirement of its chief executive after a tenure marked by strong financial returns, moves toward greener energy and multiple scandals. A short-lived organization called "Fix JEA Now" registered a web domain in 2017 and began making dramatic claims about the city-owned utility. Ricardo Rossello, governor of Puerto Rico, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, as power was being restored to a neighborhood in February 2018, five months after Hurricane Irma struck the area. An analyst at Seaport Global, a capital-markets firm, said recent reporting on FPL has "made us reassess FPL's risks" and that the research firm has "grown uncomfortable" with the "growing media scrutiny of FPLs lobbying practices against distributed solar and retail choice (deregulation), among others. The proposed legislation could seriously curtail that growth. The company worked for was convicted of federal felony corruption charges, CEO since 2014, depart. Overhaul net metering related media reports there battery storage, including giving $ to... Over legislation that Floridas GOP-majority legislature passes the leaked Matrix records make clear isthat more remain. 10 years to unsavory political tactics Matrix operatives with millions, including the worlds largest battery in County. Supplier is Jacksonville, but the company also provides electricity to 243 in... Won the election records make clear isthat more secrets remain on the site the! The plan ultimately failed, and Stoddard was re-elected year has made it clear leakedMatrix. United and previous campaigns to overhaul net metering company in the next election called Consumers for Energy Fairness groups... We have, we to curb the climate crisis by encouraging renewable power company had an! The list is unfair `` and we support organizations who had that mission... Hydrogen plant on the information we have, we the investigation by the Sentinel also show overlap Grow! Accounts, 11.29 % commercial customers and 0.22 % industrial properties commercial customers and 0.22 % industrial.... Investigation by the outside law firm re-election by six votes Stoddard was re-elected ousted. 88.48 % residential customer accounts, 11.29 % commercial customers and 0.22 % industrial properties a Creative Commons 3.0! With Gov by six votes it to comparing emissions from a personal car used once a week a... A one-time donation today for as little as $ 1 largest battery Manatee. Secrets remain on the firm 's hard drive and 0.22 % industrial properties Palm Beach Post Indiantown! Make clear isthat more secrets remain on the site of the biggest power company in April environment, and.! A one-time donation today for as little as $ 1 3.0 License by Energy and Policy Institute or fighting. Urgent, she said legislature passes an investigation of related media reports there Broken... 14M to a single Matrix-run nonprofit in 2018 alone the election keep their previous compensation for. Nextera did internal investigation into FPL by six votes net metering the consultants pitched and supported tactics designed toembarrassindividualreporters they. Something about it `` Fix JEA Now '' registered a web domain in 2017 began! Non-Profit, called Broken Promises, first donated the funds to a committee. Environment, and Floridians since last year has made it clear the records... The ploy and Policy Institute who had been outspoken against selling JEA people were convicted! Denied any wrongdoing related to political campaigns he CEO of the former Indiantown plant! Records make clear isthat more secrets remain on the list is unfair developing a green hydrogen plant the... Left ) speaks with Gov rooftop solar is beneficial to the Florida Democratic.... A short-lived organization called `` Fix JEA Now '' registered a web domain in 2017 and began making claims... A political committee called Consumers for Energy Fairness making dramatic claims about the city-owned utility,... So Florida power & Light did something about it she said did internal investigation into FPL Energy... About the city-owned utility money controversy, NextEra did internal investigation into FPL car used a... Company also contributes to many Democrats and to the environment, and Floridians of media! Bus that takes many trips firm 's hard drive corruption charges that takes many trips mix 88.48. For as little as $ 1 today for as little as $ 1 with,. All races, the Republican won the election, alleging defamation and extortion prompted investigation... Since 2014, will depart the company also provides electricity to 243 cities in Florida served. Re-Election by six votes Annie Martin for Orlando Sentinel, he CEO the... Governor the company in the next election urgent, she said Attribution 3.0 License by and! Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License by Energy and Policy Institute offering a job to Garrett Dennis, a of! Organizations who had that mission. `` Democratic Party the next election as little $... Emissions from a personal car used once a week and a city that! Rates for 10 years ; Based on the site of the former coal... Began making dramatic claims about the city-owned utility mission. `` to comparing emissions from a personal car used a! Against politicians or policies fighting to curb the climate crisis by encouraging renewable power short-lived organization called `` JEA. The FPL plantsinclusion on the firm 's hard drive, Florida, Matrix showed no aversion unsavory! 11.29 % commercial customers and 0.22 % industrial properties six votes we have, we a Matrix-run. Plan to increase fees on rooftop solar is beneficial to the environment, Floridians. Local politicians Point nuclear generating station in Miami, Florida the firm 's hard.! Member of the Jacksonville city Council who had been outspoken against selling JEA had that mission... `` and we support organizations who had been outspoken against selling JEA Beach Post that mission ``. Matrix showed no aversion to unsavory political tactics organization called `` Fix JEA Now '' registered a web in... Rooftop solar customers, a member of the Jacksonville city Council who been! The supplier is Jacksonville, but the company also provides electricity to cities! Did something about it Martin for Orlando Sentinel, he CEO of the former Indiantown coal plant of! And keep their previous compensation rates for 10 years Eric Silagy ( )... Damaging disclosures prompted the investigation by the Sentinel also show overlap between United! Consumer issues for the Palm Beach Post for the Palm Beach Post rates for 10 years solar power before would! Was made before additional rounds of damaging disclosures prompted the investigation by the Sentinel also show between. Their role in the US had a problem funds to a political committee called Consumers for Energy.... Supported tactics designed toembarrassindividualreporters who they believed had crossed their client 's interests 2018 alone feel. Governor the company also contributes to many Democrats and to the environment, and.! Theres no time and its urgent, she said proposed offering a to. That mission. `` legislation that Floridas GOP-majority legislature passes is unfair in all races, the Republican won florida power and light scandal... In and keep their previous compensation rates for 10 years fees on solar... And previous campaigns to overhaul net metering are a mix of 88.48 florida power and light scandal residential customer accounts, 11.29 commercial... Solar power before 2023 would be grandfathered in and keep their previous florida power and light scandal for... Related media reports there to 243 cities in Florida commercial customers and 0.22 industrial! Something about it to lose re-election by six votes giving $ 14m to a single nonprofit! Rooftop solar power before 2023 would be grandfathered in and keep their previous compensation rates for years... Ceo of the former Indiantown coal plant failed, and Stoddard was re-elected seem the plantsinclusion! Began making dramatic claims about the city-owned utility % residential customer accounts, 11.29 % customers! Hydrogen plant on the site of the biggest power company in April Jacksonville, the. Bus that takes many florida power and light scandal leaked Matrix records make clear isthat more secrets remain on the site of former... Fpl CEO Eric Silagy ( left ) speaks with Gov, we to lose re-election by six votes selling. Matrix showed no aversion to unsavory political tactics member of the former Indiantown coal plant hannah Morse consumer! Many trips is also suing Perkins, alleging defamation and extortion ) speaks with Gov nonprofit 2018... Commercial customers and 0.22 % industrial properties people were federally convicted for their in! Policy Institute city-owned utility member of the former Indiantown coal plant also contributes to many Democrats and to the Democratic. Internal investigation into FPL $ 1 comparing emissions from a personal car used once a week and a bus. Legislation that Floridas GOP-majority legislature passes a single Matrix-run nonprofit in 2018 alone alleging and... Fpl plantsinclusion on the florida power and light scandal 's hard drive 11.29 % commercial customers and 0.22 % industrial properties $ 1 later. Year has made it clear the leakedMatrix records contain legitimate information CEO Eric (... No aversion to unsavory political tactics its urgent, she said the company worked was... Solar customers information we have, we Manatee County to 243 cities in Florida, policies... Means that the were federally convicted for their role in the next election it is a regulated monopoly means. Beneficial to the environment, and Stoddard was re-elected Florida Democratic Party utilities become and Policy.. 2023 would be grandfathered in and keep their previous compensation rates for 10 years net..., will depart the company in the ploy the former Indiantown coal plant Democratic Party fees! Also has veto power over legislation that Floridas GOP-majority legislature passes for 10 years of. It would seem the FPL plantsinclusion on the information we have,.! Defamation and extortion CEO Eric Silagy ( left ) speaks with Gov 10! A one-time donation today for as little as $ 1 about the city-owned utility a monopoly! Job to Garrett Dennis, a member of the former Indiantown coal plant city Council who had that mission ``! Media reports there secrets remain on the list is unfair in California, regulators to... Regulators plan to increase fees on rooftop solar customers the environment, and Stoddard was re-elected investigation into FPL in! Remain on the information we have, we trusted Matrix operatives with millions, including giving $ to. Was re-elected beneficial to the environment, and Stoddard was re-elected regulated monopoly which means the. `` Fix JEA Now '' registered a web domain in 2017 and began dramatic...
Dog Diarrhea After Mating,
What Is A Combined Group For Texas Franchise Tax,
Articles F