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.

Thousands of athletes are lacing up for Saturday’s OUC Orlando Half Marathon, but race organizers say they’re already preparing for a landmark change coming next year.

No injuries were reported after a vehicle smashed into a power transformer in St. Cloud before it erupted in flames on Saturday, according to a news release.

Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) today unanimously approved a new time-of-day billing policy for its customers that sets individual prices for peak and non-peak kilowatt-per-hour (kWh) rates.

The Orlando Utilities Commission board is set to vote on the proposed PeakSHIFT program.

The plan, which introduces a new demand-based pricing model, could add $5 to $15 to customers’ monthly bills based on their energy usage during peak hours.

Trees can improve your home’s curb appeal and, if positioned correctly, can help reduce energy costs.

An Orlando family was surprised when a problem with a power line ended up frying some high-dollar equipment in their home.

An Orlando family was surprised when a problem with a power line ended up frying some high-dollar equipment in their home.

A vehicle crashed into a light pole early Friday in Orlando, knocking out power to nearby OUC customers, police said on social media.

Temperatures are reaching all-time highs, but Central Florida residents are at risk for more than just heat-related illness.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer honored OUC’s century of devoted service to the city of Orlando by declaring June 26 as “OUC 100th Anniversary Day.”

During hurricanes, and even thunderstorms, it’s common for homes and businesses to lose power.

Florida House members Tuesday raised the possibility of giving state regulators more oversight of municipal utilities.

Thousands of runners made their way through downtown Orlando on Saturday for the 46th annual OUC Orlando half marathon and Barney Butter Lake Eola 5K.

It's science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that is fueling sustainable energy options. An Orlando utility company is turning to students to take solar power to the next level.

If you are an Orlando Utilities Commission customer, be prepared to see an increase in your July energy bill.

Hurricane season is in full swing, and while it’s been fairly calm so far, years in recent past have been a different story.

Teaching water conservation through art is the goal of the Water Color Project.

Hot weather often goes hand in hand with higher energy bills. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Thousands of runners are excited to be racing again during the first in-person marathon since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Two thousand runners participated in the OUC half marathon that raced its way through downtown Orlando Saturday morning. Thousands of runners race in OUC half marathonRunners wore masks before and after the race, but they didn’t have to wear face coverings while running. Betsy Hughes with Track Shack, which organized the race, said they also spaced out the groups and asked runners wait on orange dots for their turn. “I think they were able to still have the race which is awesome, and I think everybody is taking precautions,” Herndon said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A lawsuit claiming contamination of residential properties from an Orlando Utilities Commission power plant has been dismissed, according to court records. The order to dismiss came at the request of attorneys representing the group of residents who filed the lawsuit. “From the outset, OUC has been confident that Plaintiffs’ claims were unsupported by any sound science and inconsistent with data reported by the Florida Department of Health. Plaintiffs’ request to dismiss this lawsuit with prejudice fully confirms that their claims had no merit.”[TRENDING: Safe to shop during pandemic? While the case has been dismissed, Bullock said attorneys with OUC are also working to vacate an earlier ruling they believe was incorrect.

“You really have to pair battery storage, we call it energy storage, with solar,” Ferrone explained. Ferrone said there is a lot of technology involved with solar energy and it continues to change. If you would like to know more about how OUC plans to achieve Net Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050, use the links below download this week’s episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate. Each week they have a guest host who helps give an irreverent look at the issues impacting the Sunshine State. Listen to the full episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate on iTunes here or on Sticher here.

ORLANDO, Fla. A dozen linemen from the Orlando Utilities Commission are heading to Lafayette, Louisiana to help thousands who lost power on Thursday from Hurricane Laura. "The main thing is to get these people back to some sort of normalcy," Barnes said. Barnes said he's helped restore power after several hurricanes in Florida and this mission will be the first time for some of his colleagues. Crews are making a stop in Mississippi Thursday night before they arrive in Louisiana on Friday. Its not clear when they will be returning home, but OUC spokesperson believes it could take a couple of weeks.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. OUC customers who are struggling to pay their power and water bill due to the coronavirus pandemic are invited to apply for financial relief. The company said that its board of commissioners met earlier this year and approved a $12.1 million customer relief package. Of that, $2.6 million was allocated to Project CARE to provide bill payment assistance. Since April, 24,000 customers have been helped through the program but as of Wednesday, $1.5 million remains available to those in need. We understand that these are unprecedented times with unexpected hardships, which is why were offering relief and payment plans to help our community, general manager and CEO Clint Bullock said.

ORLANDO, Fla. A fatal crash Monday morning has forced Orlando police to close a busy stretch of Colonial Drive. The wreck was reported at Hyer Avenue and Colonial Drive, which is closed from Mills Avenue to Summerlin Avenue. Orlando police said the traffic lights are out Mills Avenue from Amelia Street to Marks Street. We are asking citizens to find an alternate route at this time, police said in an email. Details about the crash have not been released.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Utility companies are resuming disconnections for non-payment as some people begin returning to work despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the rising number of cases in Florida. The Orlando Utility Commission will begin those cut offs on July 14. An OUC spokesperson said the company does not want to disconnect anyone and there is help available. A program through the United Way is also available and households can receive up to $500 over a year to help pay for utilities. Contact the United Way by phone by dialing 2-1-1, by texting your zip code to 898-211 or visiting the 211 website.

Service disconnections for non-payment resume July 13, 2020, and late fees will be reinstated August 3, OUC said. This includes financial support up to $500 through OUCs Project CARE. For more information on OUCs Project CARE click or tap here. OUC is asking neighbors to help neighbors by donating to Project CARE. Click on Project CARE and select the blue Enroll in Project CARE button, OUC said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Science Center and OUC are taking real-life STEM lessons on the road to Orange and Osceola County fifth graders. Project A.W.E.S.O.M.E. “Being able to collaborate and work on the 21st century skills is something we always try to push at the Science Center. OUC is the sponsor and primary founder of Project A.W.E.S.O.M.E. To learn more about programs at the Orlando Science Center, click here.