Energy Bills

Florida electric utilities initially said they were going to decrease their use of natural gas by 18% in the next decade, but their updated plans now show an increase of 2%, instead.

The disconnections point to a broader trend of energy insecurity, advocacy groups say. A $7 billion rate hike for Florida Power & Light customers will further raise 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.

Residents, community organizers and City of Tampa energy officials bemoaned rising electric bills during a March 26 meeting.

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.

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."

The Florida Public Service Commission approved the rate increase Thursday for Florida Power & Light, the state's largest power company, over the strong objections of various groups.

What do rising power bills, soccer fans, highway chaos and Tampa’s twist on Oktoberfest have in common? They’re all part of today’s “Florida Matters: Live & Local,” with Matthew Peddie.

The Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues, filed a notice that it was appealing regulators' approval of the increases, as did the groups Florida Rising and LULAC Florida.

Staff members of the Florida Public Service Commission recommended proposals that would add about $21 a month for Duke customers and $30 for TECO customers starting in March.

Residential rates would be raised about 2.5 percent through 2029 under a new rate plan Florida Power & Light said today that it plans to formally file. The new rates would be set once the utility's current base rate agreement concludes at the end of 2025.