FL S1586

Creates section 366.96, F.S. requiring the Public Service Commission to hold public hearings and develop a disaster preparation and energy grid improvement plan for each public utility with implementation periods up to 20 years.

Plans must be modified at least every 3 years and consider storm projections, cost-benefit analysis, alternative technologies (smart grids, distributed generation, microgrids), and each utility's specific circumstances including outage history and ratepayer base.

Commission must issue orders requiring utilities to implement approved plans and may grant single extensions for plan deadlines every 6 years if the utility demonstrates the extension serves ratepayers' best interests.

Commission must submit reports to the Legislature on February 1, 2019, and every 3 years thereafter describing each utility's plan, completion timetable, projected costs and benefits, and performance of grid improvements during storms or natural disasters.

Legislative intent is to increase energy grid resiliency to reduce customer outages and restoration time during disasters at fair and reasonable costs to ratepayers.