Utilities would have to come up with a 10-year plan to strengthen and bury power lines and be allowed to pass along the cost to customers under a bill passed by the Florida Senate.
The Senate voted 37-2 on Friday for a bill that seeks to reduce the time needed to restore power after hurricanes.
The cost to harden lines would be passed on to customers through a separate item on their bills, rather than through a general rate increase. That means all customers would pay the same, regardless of how much power they use.
Bill sponsor Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Bradenton, said the cost to customers would be minimal compared to long term costs of continually repairing lines after hurricanes.
A companion House bill is awaiting a floor vote.
