The Committee on Regulated Industries of the Florida State Legislature convened on March 12, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding infrastructure hardening in response to storms. A significant focus of the meeting was the cost-benefit analysis of hardening energy infrastructure to improve recovery times after hurricanes.

During the discussions, committee members highlighted the success of recent infrastructure hardening efforts, which have reportedly reduced the average recovery time from storms from 13-14 days to just 24-48 hours. This improvement is seen as a vital benefit for communities affected by hurricanes, as it allows for quicker restoration of services.

Senators emphasized the need for a thorough cost-benefit analysis before imposing any additional rates on consumers to fund these hardening initiatives. They argued that understanding the tangible and intangible benefits of hardening is essential. The committee acknowledged that while utilities have expertise in this area, a clearer picture of the expected outcomes for ratepayers is necessary to justify any rate increases.

The meeting underscored the importance of balancing the costs of infrastructure improvements with the benefits they provide to the community, ensuring that any financial implications for consumers are well-founded. As the committee moves forward, they will seek to establish a comprehensive understanding of how hardening efforts can best serve Florida's residents during storm recovery.