Hearings begin on FPL's request for rate increase

The first hearing is scheduled in Tallahassee.

FPL has asked to raise its base rates by 31 percent, or $1.3 billion a year, to improve fuel efficiency and generate cleaner energy.

FPL is Florida's largest electric utility. The company serves 4.5 million homes, businesses and other customers in South Florida and along most of the state's east coast.