Electric Utilities

Utility profit margins are one reason why electricity bills are rising, the report says. Advocates say low-income communities are hardest-hit by the costs.

Republicans advocating for the preemption say clean energy efforts are more costly than fossil fuel use, despite Tampa recently showing significant savings from such practices.

As the bill heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis, experts seek more specifics on how it will be implemented.

Natural gas costs spiked during last month’s cold snap, leaving the utility about $19 million over budget. Lakeland Electric says the temporary bill spike when customer use is lower would soften the impact.

Florida utilities recorded an unusually high demand for electricity during an historic Arctic blast that sent temperatures into the teens across the Panhandle and reached as far south as the Florida Keys.

The city is considering forming its own utility company following customer concerns over Duke's rising bills.

The Affordable Energy Reform Act would make electricity rate hike cases more transparent, cap utility returns on equity and tie company profits to efficiency.

It calls on Gov. Ron DeSantis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott to "investigate TECO's pricing strategies and take action."

A key question has been how to make electric-system upgrades without saddling existing utility customers with costs.

When it kicks in Jan. 1, residential customers will be paying about $5.50 more a month and $939 more annually than they did five years ago. That's an 82% increase.

Florida Power & Light is considered a regional leader in renewable energy investment, with Duke Energy following just behind.

Two cities could find themselves in a legal battle that could take years and tens of millions of dollars. We take a look at one city that did — and what others could learn from it.