It would take years, possibly decades.

State regulators Tuesday approved utility costs that will translate to higher electric bills in January for homeowners and businesses — and the pain won’t end there.

State regulators Tuesday approved creation of an additional area code in Northeast Florida, as cellphones and other devices continue to gobble up existing numbers.

State regulators are expected May 3 to take up a proposal about adding a new area code in Northeast Florida, with public comments being accepted through April 26.

The Florida Public Service Commission has received a proposal to create a new area code in Jacksonville and nearby communities that have used the 904 area code for decades.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. The Florida Public Service Commission has scheduled a meeting next week to get briefed on the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on utility customers. During the July 29 meeting, utilities will discuss issues such as the numbers of customers who are late in making payments or who have stopped making payments and the resulting amount of bad debt, according to a notice for the meeting. Early in the pandemic, utilities took steps such as suspending service disconnections for non-payment of bills. But as the pandemic has continued, at least some utilities are moving toward resuming more-normal business operations. The Public Service Commission this month also approved a proposal that could lead to Gulf Power Co. passing along coronavirus-related costs to customers in the future.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In a victory for state regulators and utilities, an administrative law judge Tuesday rejected a challenge to a plan for carrying out a new law that is expected to lead to more underground power lines in Florida. They challenged proposed rules that the Florida Public Service Commission approved to carry out a 2019 law that is designed to help utilities add underground power lines and take other steps to better withstand hurricanes. The challenge centered, in part, on a decision by the Public Service Commission to require utilities to provide detailed information only for projects in the first year. “There is nothing confusing about the language used in the proposed rule -- it forbids double recovery,” Peterson wrote. Under the law, utilities will be able each year to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to collect money from customers for storm-protection projects.

Deputy Public Counsel Charles Rehwinkel said his office doesn't object to the effort to build more underground power lines and increase storm protections. But he said it is concerned that the proposed rules would allow "inflated" costs for consumers. The Public Service Commission approved the proposed rules Oct. 3, but the Office of Public Counsel requested a public hearing to try to persuade regulators to make changes. But the commission rejected the requests for changes and cleared the way for the proposed rules to be finalized. Commissioners said the proposed rules include adequate safeguards to make sure customers don't get charged too much for the storm projects.

FreeImages.com/Nimalan TharmalingamTALLAHASSEE, Fla. - State regulators Tuesday approved moving forward with a new 448 area code in Northwest Florida, while Tampa also could see an additional area code in the coming years. That means people in Northwest Florida who have phones with the 850 area code will be able to keep their numbers. All existing customers would retain the 813 area code and would not have to change their telephone numbers. Tuesday's vote to move forward with the 448 area code also came after a new 689 area code took effect in June in Central Florida. The 850 area code in Northwest Florida was split from the 904 area code in 1997.

The moves included requesting a public hearing on the proposed rules, a hearing that the Public Service Commission has scheduled for Tuesday. But the Office of Public Counsel argued that is too short of a timeframe. The commission unanimously approved proposed rules on Oct. 3, despite objections from the Office of Public Counsel. The proposed rules, as drafted, do not ensure that the ratepayers will not pay twice for storm protection and hardening as required by the statute, the Thursday filing said. But before the commissions Oct. 3 vote on the proposed rules, utilities said the information about projects in the second and third years needs to be broader.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - State regulators moved forward Thursday with a new law aimed at building more underground power lines and making Florida's electric system better able to withstand punishing hurricanes. A key part of the law, passed during the spring legislative session, will change how storm-protection projects, including underground power lines, are financed. Public Service Commission Chairman Art Graham issued a statement after Thursday's approval of the proposed rules and said they will help electric systems better handle severe storms. The law applies to Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Co., Gulf Power and Florida Public Utilities Co."Utilities' investment in storm hardening strengthens Florida's grid to reduce power outages and speed restoration after a storm," Graham said. Under the law, utilities will be able each year to seek approval from the commission to collect money from customers for storm-protection projects, such as building underground power lines.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - State regulators next week will take up proposed rules that could help set the stage for an expansion of underground power lines in hurricane-weary Florida. Utilities already have underground power lines in some areas. Generally, utilities such as Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Co. and Gulf Power have incorporated storm-hardening costs in their base electric rates, which are set for multiple years. But the new law sets up a separate commission process that allows utilities each year to seek to collect money from customers for storm-protection projects, such as building underground power lines. On another key issue, however, the commission staff members disagreed with the utilities.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - With available numbers for the 850 area code expected to run out in March 2022, an additional area code is being pushed for the entire Northwest Florida region. People in Northwest Florida who have phones with the 850 area code would be able to keep their numbers. That would mean also using the area code in regions served by the 352 area code, including Gainesville; the 904 area code, including Jacksonville; and the 386 area code, including Daytona Beach. The 850 area code region was split from the 904 area code in 1997. The Public Service Commission is expected to pick an alternative during an Nov. 5 meeting, according to Sakina Deas, a commission public utilities analyst.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Public Service Commission has authority over whether owners of a mobile-home park can stop providing water and sewer service to residents, an appeals court ruled Wednesday in a Pasco County case. The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal overturned a decision by a circuit judge, who sided with owners of the Palm Tree Acres Mobile Home Park in a dispute with residents. Citing constitutional property rights, the circuit judge said the owners could discontinue the water and sewer service. But the appeals court Wednesday pointed to state laws giving authority to the Public Service Commission about utility service. However, the respondents have been providing utility service to the petitioners' homes for decades.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Storm hardening plans for 2019-2021 for Floridas five major utility companies were approved by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday morning. The plans set the short-term goals for undergrounding power lines and reducing outages during storms, but the power companies will soon be required to take a long-term view of storm hardening. Following hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Michael, lawmakers demanded utility companies look further out. The focus will be on undergrounding power lines and vegetation management. The PSC will also be required to report to lawmakers each year on the progress of the utility companies hardening efforts.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Utility regulators on Tuesday signed-off on a $1.3 billion agreement involving Florida Power & Lights costs for restoring electricity after Hurricane Irma plowed through the state in 2017. The Florida Public Service Commission approved the settlement between FPL, the state Office of Public Counsel and the Florida Industrial Power Users Group. The agreement finalizes the costs, which will be covered by the utilitys savings from a 2017 federal tax overhaul. The storm that were dealing with, Irma, was a tremendous impact to your customers, throughout your service area, said Commissioner Donald Polmann. State Public Counsel J.R. Kelly said high costs are expected as utility crews come in as customers demand quick restoration of power.