From
Duke Energy's website dated Sep 15, which is before the news story
"Duke Energy suspends late payment charges, estimated bills and disconnections during Florida storm restoration
September 15, 2017
Restoring power remains top priority for the company
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.*-- Duke Energy today announced that it is suspending late payment charges and estimated bills for its 1.8 million Florida customers as it continues to restore power in the state.
The company continues its suspension of non-payment disconnections, which was implemented at the beginning of the storm.
"We are all-hands-on-deck with restoration, and stopping these actions gives customers one less thing to worry about. It allows Duke Energy to focus on what's important – getting the lights on and helping rebuild communities and lives," said Harry Sideris, Duke Energy Florida president.
Duke Energy has restored more than 1 million customers in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Less than 300,000 customers are still without power."
So it seems they were aware of the bad estimates and were stopping it before the TV report. Not clear why the report failed to mention it.