TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The state’s consumer advocate says a proposed Florida Power & Light Co. rate settlement with three groups of commercial customers is a bad deal for nearly everyone else and is participating under protest in a regulatory hearing on the plan that began Monday.

Over a four-year period, the proposal would raise base rates for a typical residential customer by nearly $10 per month. Company officials say they expect overall residential bills, though, to increase much less and remain the lowest in the state due to anticipated reductions in fuel charges and other annual adjustments.