Fort Myers, FL — Electricity Providers, Market Setup, and Sample Tariffs
1) Who provides electricity in Fort Myers?
There are two main electricity providers in the Fort Myers area, and which one you get depends
on your address:
Florida Power & Light (FPL): A privately-owned utility that covers most of Fort Myers
and nearby areas.
Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC): A member-owned co-op serving parts of
Lee County like North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel/Captiva, Pine Island, and some
of Lehigh Acres.
2) Can you choose your electricity provider?
No, you can’t. Florida’s electricity market is regulated, so you can’t shop around for other
providers. You're assigned either FPL or LCEC based on your location. A proposal in 2020 to
allow retail choice was turned down by the Florida Supreme Court, so things stayed the same.
The Florida Public Service Commission still oversees everything.
3) Sample rates and plans
Think of a tariff like the pricing guide for your bill. It usually includes a fixed monthly fee, a per-
kWh (kilowatt-hour) rate, and extra charges (called riders) for things like fuel costs or storm
recovery. Here are some common options in Fort Myers:
A) FPL — RS-1 (Standard Residential)
This is the basic residential plan. It has a fixed monthly charge and per-kWh rates. The energy
cost goes up slightly if you use more than 1,000 kWh a month.
Monthly charge: $9.61
Energy cost: 7.164¢/kWh for the first 1,000 kWh; 8.170¢/kWh after that
Extra charges (per kWh):
o Conservation: 0.138¢
o Capacity: 0.103¢
o Environmental: 0.361¢
o Storm Protection: 0.810¢
o Fuel: 2.408¢ (first 1,000 kWh) / 3.408¢ (after 1,000 kWh)
o Interim Storm Restoration (2025): 1.202¢
o Transition Rider: 0.842¢
B) FPL — RTR-1 (Time-of-Use, optional)
This works like the standard RS-1 plan, but the energy price depends on the time of day.
Electricity costs more during peak hours and less at night or weekends. Ideal if you can run
major appliances outside peak times.
Monthly charge: $9.61
Approximate rates:
o Peak hours: ~26¢/kWh
o Off-peak: ~9¢/kWh (varies by season)
Price changes compared to RS-1:
o Peak: +12.878¢ base, +0.356¢ fuel
o Off-peak: −5.631¢ base, −0.153¢ fuel
(All other RS-1 riders still apply)
C) LCEC — Residential (Tiered with PCA)
This plan includes a fixed fee and three usage tiers. The price per kWh increases the more you
use. It also includes a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) that fluctuates based on fuel prices.
Monthly charge: $20.00
Rates:
o First 500 kWh: 11.29¢
o Next 500 kWh: 12.06¢
o Over 1,000 kWh: 12.82¢
PCA (Sept 2025): 0.547¢/kWh
D) LCEC — General Service (Small Business, no demand charges)
Designed for small businesses. It has a flat monthly charge and per-kWh rate, with no separate
demand fees.
Monthly charge: $26.50 (single phase) / $29.50 (three phase)
Energy rate: 11.90¢/kWh
PCA: Same 0.547¢/kWh applies to all usage
E) LCEC — General Service Demand (Over 20 kW)
For businesses with higher power needs. This plan includes a fixed charge, per-kWh rate, and a
demand charge based on your peak usage during the billing month. Avoiding large power surges
(like starting all machines at once) helps lower the bill.
Monthly charge: $40.00
Demand charge: $11.00 per kW
Energy rate: 7.60¢/kWh
4) What this means for you
You can’t switch providers—your utility is assigned based on your address.
If you're with FPL and can run appliances during off-peak hours, the Time-of-Use plan
might save you money.
If you're with LCEC, pay attention to the PCA—your bill can go up or down depending
on fuel costs, even if your usage doesn’t change.
For small businesses, managing peak usage (like staggering equipment start times) can
help lower your demand charges.
And of course, being energy-efficient always helps: use smart thermostats, seal up air
leaks, service your HVAC regularly, and switch to LED bulbs.
Sources (checked September 2025):
Lee County Utility Info: [Link]
LCEC Residential Rates & PCA: [Link]
LCEC Tariffs (Residential & General): [Link]
[Link]
FPL Rates (RS-1 & RTR-1): [Link]
[Link]
FPL Time-of-Use Overview: [Link]
Florida Supreme Court Decision on Deregulation: [Link]
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