Tampa Electric Company has requested approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to temporarily raise electricity rates, citing storm recovery costs and infrastructure improvements.

If approved, residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours monthly would pay approximately $8.88 more per month, a 5.3% increase bringing bills to $176.89. Commercial and industrial customers would see increases of 2% to 10%, depending on usage.

The utility company says the rate adjustment would fund construction of three energy storage facilities, resiliency improvements, and completion of two solar plants to reduce long-term fuel costs. TECO serves more than 860,000 customers across the region.

The proposal has drawn opposition from customers and local officials. Over the weekend, Congresswoman Kathy Castor participated in a public protest where demonstrators burned utility bills symbolically. Critics note TECO customers already experienced two rate increases in January and March of this year.

The Public Service Commission began hearings on the request Tuesday. Earlier this year, the commission rejected consumer advocate recommendations to reverse one of TECO’s prior rate increases. A decision is expected after hearings conclude.

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