Utility companies in Central Florida sent a message to customers urging them to reduce and conserve energy use when demand for electricity was anticipated to be the highest.

Less than a week after Hurricane Ian knocked out power to large swaths of Florida, state regulators Tuesday approved utilities’ long-term plans to try to bolster the electric system.

Supply chain issues could impact how long it takes for power companies to restore electricity after a powerful storm hits Central Florida.

Some Duke Energy customers said they got a big shock when they opened their most recent electric bill – a new charge that requires them to spend a specific amount of money with the utility company per month.

As the heat index in the Kissimmee region tops 107 degrees, residents set a new all-time record for electricity use.