JEA v. First Coast Regional Utilities, Inc.

• Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida
• Decided: September 22, 2021
• Docket: 21-0579
• Status: Published

Opinion

FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL STATE OF FLORIDA _____________________________

No. 1D21-579 _____________________________

JEA,

Petitioner,

v.

FIRST COAST REGIONAL UTILITIES, INC.,

Respondent. _____________________________

Petition for Writ of Prohibition—Original Jurisdiction.

September 22, 2021

PER CURIAM.

JEA petitions this court for the entry of a writ prohibiting the Florida Public Service Commission from exercising authority reserved to the judiciary. But Petitioners are premature in anticipating that the PSC will carry out its statutory responsibilities in a manner that exceeds its jurisdiction. Cf. S. Fla. Cargo Carriers Ass’n, Inc. v. State Bd. of Pilot Comm’rs, 627 So. 2d 597, 598–99 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993). Because section 367.045, Florida Statutes, gives the PSC authority to decide certificate of authorization applications, taking account of objections filed by municipalities, local comprehensive plans, and existing systems, we deny the petition. DENIED.

B.L. THOMAS, OSTERHAUS, and M.K. THOMAS, JJ., concur.

_____________________________

Not final until disposition of any timely and authorized motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or 9.331. _____________________________

Susan Clark, Tom Crabb, and Laura Dennis of Radey Law Firm, Tallahassee, for Petitioner.

William E. Sundstrom and Robert C. Brannan of Sundstrom & Mindlin, LLP, Tallahassee; John L. Wharton of Dean Mead & Dunbar, Tallahassee, for Respondent.

Samantha M. Cibula and Kathryn G.W. Cowdery of the Florida Public Service Commission, Tallahassee.