Utility Costs

Solar hasn’t necessarily been replacing Florida utilities’ fossil fuel use, the state’s consumer advocate says — it’s actually been used in some cases to bring more fuel online, expanding the grid and your electricity bills.

When utilities want to raise rates or recoup costs, they have to go before the Florida Public Service Commission for approval.

Rising electricity prices are part of a statewide trend driven by consecutive rate hikes, high energy consumption, and a system that lets investor-owned utilities pass on costs to customers.

The way a 2026 Florida law is written doesn't ensure consumers' bills won't go up because of new data centers, energy policy experts told PolitiFact.

City officials said holding rates flat would come with its own consequences.

Commissioners agreed Tuesday to move forward with a wastewater rate overhaul.

There is plenty of support for a plan to build a Rays stadium in Tampa. But there are skeptics, and the most vocal is on "Florida Matters Live & Local." Commissioner Joshua Wostal gives specifics ahead of some big votes.

"Alligator Alcatraz." Guns. Social media. Legal battles about those and myriad other issues remain unresolved heading into 2026. Here are 10 big legal issues to watch for.

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

The increases do not reflect funding for the highly-touted St. Pete Agile Resiliency Plan (SPAR), which would cause stormwater rates to increase between 20% and 75% in 2027 instead of the planned 15%.

One official said the county is seeing a lot of people overusing their sprinklers, and they also easily break without them knowing.

The St. Petersburg City Council continues to question why some residents' water bills were as much as six times the normal amount following last year's hurricanes.