Duke Energy, Tampa Electric customers to pay at least $20 monthly hike for storm costs
Floridians who get their electricity from Duke Energy or Tampa Electric will soon face hefty increases of at least $20 more per month on their bills, as part of the two companies’ efforts to recoup costs from last year’s hurricane season.
Utility regulators on the Florida Public Service Commission approved the fees during a Tuesday morning hearing in Tallahassee, though they repeatedly said they were distressed about the mounting costs for residents. Both Duke and Tampa Electric just last year concluded cases to hike their base rates for the next three years, increasing a different part of power bills.
The storm costs will mean typical residential customers pay hundreds more per year to keep their lights on.
The Tampa Electric portion caused the most hand-wringing Tuesday, as the company estimated that recouping its costs from hurricanes Debby, Helene, Milton, as well as Idalia in 2023 would result in customers shelling out over $30 more per month than they already pay. Public service commission chairperson Mike La Rosa said the number gave him “sticker shock.”
https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2025/02/04/tampa-electric-duke-energy-florida-hurricane-charge-bill-increase-milton-helene/
Can't expect power company shareholders to suffer a dividend cut to help out with the recovery effort...
= new reply since forum marked as read
