HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — For the first time in more than a decade, the Florida Public Service Commission hosted a public hearing in Tampa. The meeting was called after TECO Energy requested a base rate increase to recover the cost of operating. If approved, customers could see a significant increase in their bills.

Even in the midst of a heat wave, Denise Herndon said she is paying a heavy price.

What You Need To Know

  • For the first time in more than a decade, the Florida Public Service Commission hosted a public hearing in Tampa. 

  • The meeting was called after TECO Energy requested a base rate increase to recover the cost of operating. If approved, customers could see a significant increase in their bills.

  • Several TECO customers participated in a rally outside a Public Service Commission hearing on the issue.

  • TECO’s last rate case was in 2021. If approved, the new rate change would take effect in January.

“Right now, I don’t have my AC on because of the electricity going up,” she said.

When she heard that TECO had requested a rate hike, she put pen to paper to express her frustration.

She is one of many TECO customers who participated in a rally outside a Public Service Commission hearing on the issue.

“I’m unable to work at the moment due to a brain injury, so I have a very fixed income,” Herndon explained.

TECO said it requested the rate increase to recover the operating cost and receive a fair rate of return on its investment.

TECO spokesperson Cherie Jacobs said the increase will help the energy company better serve its customers.

“The benefits to customers from this increase would be fewer and shorter power outages. It includes an investment in continued renewable energy like solar power,” Jacobs said.

“Both Duke and TECO are asking for some of the highest returns on equity in the country,” Brooke Ward of Food & Water Watch said.

If approved, advocates say the change could impact communities and seniors who are on fixed incomes.

“They are having to make a decision on whether to pay rent, pay for medication,” Florida Rising Regional Director Robin Lockett said.

“They are having to deal with evictions because they can’t afford to pay their utilities,” said Walter L. Smith II of Sierra Club Tampa Bay.

Dozens of customers, including Herndon, packed into a meeting with the Florida Public Service Commission, which will ultimately deny or grant TECO's request. One by one, they walked to the podium to share their own testimony about how they would be adversely impacted.

Crystal Harris said for every person who showed up, dozens more are still waiting to be heard.

“I’m a mother of six. I know that there are people that can’t make it,” said Harris.

TECO’s last rate case was in 2021. If approved, the new rate change would take effect in January.