Tampa used 9.3% less energy but saved only $296,193 on energy costs last year, a fraction of the projected $1.8 million savings, as Tampa Electric Company bills swallowed up most benefits from the city’s solar investments. During a March 26 presentation to city council members, energy officials revealed the stark difference between expected and actual savings compared to fiscal year 2024. The city had invested in solar power for several government buildings, expecting significant cost reductions.

“That’s where the rate increases and the fees…and storm surcharges and fuel costs…reduced those savings for us,” said Carl Camis Rosado, the city’s energy efficiency manager. Between December 2020 and January 2026, residential TECO bills increased 86%, or about $980 annually, according to the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition. Cherie Jacobs, a TECO spokesperson, said comparing current bills to 2020 can overstate increases since TECO temporarily lowered residential bills during the pandemic.

“The impact is very real for our community members. Families are being forced to make impossible choices between keeping the lights on, buying groceries, paying rent or preparing for storms…in a state where extreme heat and severe weather are a constant reality, we know that electricity is not a luxury,” said Alyssa White, a climate justice organizer with Florida Student Power. During public comment at the March 26 meeting, several residents and community organizers told Tampa City Council members they’re feeling the squeeze of higher energy costs. Jacobs said it’s better to compare December 2021, when residential rates were $118 for 1,000 kilowatt-hours, to the current rate of $177, which will drop to $157 in September when storm recovery charges expire.

“We know higher bills are straining many household budgets. We hear our customers, and relief is on the way,” Jacobs said in an emailed statement. In five years, TECO residential customers are paying 33% more per 1,000 kilowatt-hours of energy. The Public Service Commission, Florida’s appointed government body that hears and approves rate increases, has been criticized by residents for approving profit increases for utility companies.

“They managed to… raise their base profit from 9% to 10% or so, I mean, for zero reason, just pure greed and corruption in the PSC and the city council really needs to state something about that, because they just stole 10% more money from every person in this town,” said resident Gerald Dycus during public comment. Florida lawmakers considered two bills that would rein in profits for utility companies, but neither passed during the legislative session. Food & Water Watch analysis finds that Duke Energy customer bills increased 49%, or $747 more annually, while Florida Power & Light bills rose 45%, or $511 more annually, during the same December 2020 to January 2026 period.

“And so this just shows the unproductive nature of the past legislative session, while our energy bills continue to increase and our utility regulators are just going to keep approving rate increase after rate increase, while we continue to struggle with skyrocketing bills,” said Isabella Moeller, a Food and Water Watch organizer. When the Public Service Commission approved FPL’s latest rate hike, it approved a 10.95% return on equity that will cost Floridians hundreds of millions of dollars in excess funds annually. The Office of Public Counsel called the choice “unconscionable” and said it would result in “more customer cash to shareholders.”

Bills introduced by Rep. Alex Andrade and Sens. Don Gaetz and Carlos Guillermo Smith in 2026 would have required reform to lower power bills over the long term. Sen. Smith’s bill would have capped a utility company’s rate of return and promoted efficiency standards to reduce energy usage. The legislation would have also lowered fuel cost increases that are passed onto customers when international energy prices spike due to geopolitical conflicts.

The Tampa City Council did not take action on drafting a resolution for state leaders aimed at protecting ratepayers from future increases. Opposition to rate hikes for FPL and TECO are being appealed at the Supreme Court. The next legislative session begins in 2027, when affordable energy legislation could be reintroduced.