TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The state's consumer advocate expects to decide whether to appeal a base rate increase for Florida Power & Light Co. by the end of the week.
    
The Public Service Commission on Monday issued a formal order for the increase that it approved Dec. 14.
    
That began a 30-day period for appealing to the Florida Supreme Court.
    
Public Counsel J.R. Kelly said he's leaning toward an appeal but won't make a decision until his lawyers review the final order.
    
It accepts a settlement between FPL and several commercial and federal government customers. Kelly and the Florida Retail Federation oppose the agreement, saying it's a bad deal for most customers.
    
The settlement is expected to raise monthly base rates for a typical residential customer by nearly $10 over the next four years.

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