Electric Utilities

A couple of Hillsborough County commissioners agreed to each send personal letters asking the commission which oversees Tampa Electric to request the utility do the required cost of service study ahead of next year's base rate changes.

Clean energy advocates say it's not much relief after average bills have gone up 62 percent in four years.

"In the last four years, we've seen TECO rates go up 62%. And folks, income has not gone up at 62% at the same time, so that energy burden continues to increase,” said Brooke Ward with Food and Water Watch.

That technology allows company technicians to troubleshoot just about any power disruption by clicking on a screen at their St. Petersburg control center.

The decision comes as two rate increases for Tampa Electric customers kick in this month.

Commissioners will review a drafted letter to the Public Service Commission at Tuesday's land use meeting, where a public comment period will not be available.

Hawaiians had the highest monthly electric bills in 2022 paying on average $210.26 a month. In contrast, Utah’s residents paid the least at $84.97.

Supporters say residents who are customers of municipal utilities but live outside city boundaries are being taxed without representation.

A collaboration of at least 10 advocacy organizations in Florida have launched a campaign to mobilize the Hillsborough County Commission to push back against rate hikes driven by fossil fuel prices.

The Florida Public Service Commission has oversight of certain issues for local utilities but does not regulate their rates.

The Public Service Commission is slated March 7 to take up proposals from Duke and other state utilities. Customers can expect to see higher bills in April.

On March 7, the Florida Public Service Commission is expected to decide whether or not to approve rate hikes from Tampa Electric and Duke Energy Florida because of rising natural gas costs and expensive storm preparations.