Sep. 8--The base rate for electric customers of Progress Energy Florida Inc. won't increase for at least two years, but consumers' overall bills will rise because of skyrocketing fuel costs.

The Florida Public Service Commission unanimously approved an agreement Wednesday that ended Progress Energy Florida's pursuit of an annual $206 million increase in base rates. The settlement keeps the St. Petersburg-based utility from raising base rates through 2007. Base rates provide revenue for operations, maintenance and profits.

In 2008, Progress Energy Florida will be allowed to include the cost of two power generating units -- one already built and one being planned -- at its Hines Energy Complex in Polk County. The Hines 2 unit that opened in 2003 cost about $226 million to build. No construction cost estimates were available for the proposed Hines 4 unit.

Despite the agreement, people can expect to begin paying more for electricity later this year because of the utility's rising fuel costs. Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Raleigh, N.C.-based Progress Energy, said Wednesday that it plans to ask commissioners soon for an increase in the fuel charge, a portion of the bill on which the company does not profit. The typical consumer who uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity pays $97.78 a month for power from Progress Energy Florida.

"Like other utilities around the country, Progress Energy's cost of fuel used in electricity generation has increased significantly in recent months," a news release said.

In a related issue, Rudolph "Rudy" Bradley, a Public Service commissioner from St. Petersburg, was left off a short list this week of possible PSC appointees in January. Candidates on the list will fill a current vacancy and two coming vacancies, which includes Bradley's seat.