PL's rate request will get a public hearing Thursday in Sarasota. The customer service hearing is at 9:30 a.m, at the City Hall. The utility filed a petition with the Florida Public Service Commission in March for an increase, which would become effective in January 2013. For most demand customers, the increase is expected to range from 16 to 28 percent depending on rate class and usage, with less than 1 percent (only about 3,500) larger businesses experiencing the higher end of that range. For more information, visit http://fplsucks.blogspot.com/