General Info

The Office of the Public Counsel was created by the Florida Legislature in 1974 to provide legal representation for the people of the state in utility related matters (Section 2003-Ch0350-Section%20061" target=" blank"350.061, et. seq., Florida Statutes) in proceedings before the Florida Public Service Commission, and in proceedings before counties pursuant to 2003-Ch0367-Section%20171" target=" blank"s.367.171 (8). The Public Counsel exists under the auspices of the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight. It intervenes in rate proceedings before the Florida Public Service Commission and counties involving private telephone and electric utilities, as well as in numerous proceedings involving gas, water, and wastewater utilities. The Public Counsel performs independent analyses, presents testimony of expert witnesses, cross-examines utility witnesses, and files recommendations and briefs in these cases. The Public Counsel does not pursue cases regarding utilities owned by local governments or cooperatives, nor does the Public Counsel pursue criminal or other individual matters.