Customers of Tampa Electric Company (TECO) will see higher electricity bills beginning in January, marking the fourth rate increase in about 13 months.

For a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, the latest base rate adjustment will add about $8.88 to the average monthly bill.

TECO and state regulators have approved several changes over the past year, including a storm recovery surcharge, fuel cost adjustments and previous base rate increases. According to the utility, much of the added cost reflects efforts to recover expenses from hurricane damage, including from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and investments in energy infrastructure such as storage facilities and solar plants.

Some customers, particularly those on fixed incomes, have expressed concern about the cumulative effect of repeated increases. In response, TECO says temporary storm recovery fees are expected to expire in August, which could reduce bills later in the year. The company also encourages customers struggling to pay to contact them about payment plans and assistance options.

Community frustration has led to online petitions and calls for legal action against the utility, with critics arguing the frequent hikes are unfair.

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