Customers of TECO and Duke Energy across the state of Florida will see their monthly electric bills rise by approximately $20 starting this month.
The rate increases come as both companies seek to recover costs from back-to-back hurricanes that caused widespread outages across the state.
“Our company had to deploy 27,000 resources, including linemen, vegetation management crews, and support staff to restore power,” said Ana Gibbs of Duke Energy Florida.
However, some customers, like Calista Snider, feel the burden shouldn’t fall on them.
“My property suffered damages I still can’t afford to repair, and now I’m expected to pay more to help TECO fix their equipment—it’s frustrating,” Snider told WTVT.
Other utilities are also seeking rate increases. Florida Power & Light has requested over a billion dollars in additional funding over four years—the largest utility rate request in U.S. history, according to Brooke Ward.
Advocates like Walter Smith II, who has long spoken against fossil fuel dependency, warn that rising rates will disproportionately affect low-income residents.
“Many people already struggle to pay their electric bills, especially those in public housing,” Smith said. “Some may even have to choose between paying for life-saving medication and keeping their power on.”
Duke and TECO stress that these hikes are temporary—TECO’s increase will last 18 months, while Duke’s will remain in effect for a year.
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(Image credit: WTVT)
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