Opposition to Escalating Rate Increases by Tampa Electric Company (TECO)
PETITION TO THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Subject: Opposition to Escalating Rate Increases by Tampa Electric Company (TECO)
To the Honorable Commissioners of the Florida Public Service Commission:
We, the undersigned customers of Tampa Electric Company (TECO) and residents of Florida, respectfully submit this petition to urge the Commission to take immediate action to protect consumers from the excessive and escalating utility rate increases approved for TECO.
Over the past several years, TECO’s customers have been subjected to repeated rate hikes that have outpaced wage growth and strained the budgets of families, retirees, and small businesses. Energy is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Escalating rates threaten the health, safety, and financial stability of our communities.
While we recognize that utilities must maintain infrastructure and cover operational costs, the current trajectory of TECO’s rate increases is unjust and unsustainable. The burden of these costs should not fall disproportionately on customers, many of whom are already struggling under the weight of inflation and rising housing expenses.
Therefore, we respectfully petition the Florida Public Service Commission to:
1. Deny or reduce future rate increases requested by TECO unless a clear, transparent, and independently verified need is demonstrated.
2. Require greater accountability and transparency in TECO’s financial justifications for any rate escalations.
3. Prioritize the protection of consumers—particularly low-income households, seniors on fixed incomes, and small businesses—when evaluating TECO’s rate proposals.
4. Encourage investment in cost-saving alternatives and efficiency measures to reduce reliance on repeated customer rate hikes.
We call on the Commission to fulfill its duty to safeguard the public interest and ensure that Floridians have access to affordable, reliable energy without facing unjust financial hardship. Respectfully submitted,
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 14, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
November 6, 2025
144 Comments
TECO has had price increase upwards of 60% in 5 years. We the people should not have to pay for storm insurance for TECO just as they don't pay for our storm insurance on our houses. This is unacceptable and the Tampa commission is allowing it to happen.
The rate increases over the last several years have outpaced inflation. We were told these were to substantially increase the amount of renewable/solar sourcing which should reduce costs, yet we see little progress in that area. It is time to prioritize the interests of your customer base, not just stockholders.
This is a regulated monopoly, we cannot find other sources, the essence of competition and lower prices, we have to depend on you, the regulators to control the prices of this monopoly, since we cannot
My Teco bill use to $145 and now I am paying $328 on average and to say that being proactive by placing all electrical household appliances on a surge protect as well as turning off my water heater when not in demand as been to no avail. What an act of abuse...
Since being bought by Emera, a Canadian company Tecos rates have increased dramatically. Time for the PSA to deny increases. They quote typical users usage as being 1000 KWh I guess that’s per week. Time for the PSA to stop lining the CEO of Emera pocket, his salary is $9 million per year.
TECO is price gouging. My husband has a 2nd house 2 counties over in Zephyrhills and their electric bills with WREC, which is a co-op, are 1/3 of TECO. TECO has a monopoly in Tampa and seem to have bought off and control the board which controls how often they can raise rates. They are both corrupt and we're the ones who suffer. I'm to the point I won't vote for anyone who doesn't advocate for lost taxes, lower insurance rates and lower power rates. These crooks are eating us alive.
Prices are excessive considering I'm using less power
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Opposition to Escalating Rate Increases by Tampa Electric Company (TECO)
PETITION TO THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Subject: Opposition to Escalating Rate Increases by Tampa Electric Company (TECO)
To the Honorable Commissioners of the Florida Public Service Commission:
We, the undersigned customers of Tampa Electric Company (TECO) and residents of Florida, respectfully submit this petition to urge the Commission to take immediate action to protect consumers from the excessive and escalating utility rate increases approved for TECO.
Over the past several years, TECO’s customers have been subjected to repeated rate hikes that have outpaced wage growth and strained the budgets of families, retirees, and small businesses. Energy is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Escalating rates threaten the health, safety, and financial stability of our communities.
While we recognize that utilities must maintain infrastructure and cover operational costs, the current trajectory of TECO’s rate increases is unjust and unsustainable. The burden of these costs should not fall disproportionately on customers, many of whom are already struggling under the weight of inflation and rising housing expenses.
Therefore, we respectfully petition the Florida Public Service Commission to:
1. Deny or reduce future rate increases requested by TECO unless a clear, transparent, and independently verified need is demonstrated.
2. Require greater accountability and transparency in TECO’s financial justifications for any rate escalations.
3. Prioritize the protection of consumers—particularly low-income households, seniors on fixed incomes, and small businesses—when evaluating TECO’s rate proposals.
4. Encourage investment in cost-saving alternatives and efficiency measures to reduce reliance on repeated customer rate hikes.
We call on the Commission to fulfill its duty to safeguard the public interest and ensure that Floridians have access to affordable, reliable energy without facing unjust financial hardship. Respectfully submitted,
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 14, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
November 6, 2025
144 Comments
I am a senior on a fixed income having to keep my AC at 79 degrees in order to pay my bill. I don't know what I'll do this winter. You all have had 5 rate increases over the last 5 years and honestly it doesn't seem like you have any concern over how gravely this affects your customers, especially we seniors.
TECO has had price increase upwards of 60% in 5 years. We the people should not have to pay for storm insurance for TECO just as they don't pay for our storm insurance on our houses. This is unacceptable and the Tampa commission is allowing it to happen.
The rate increases over the last several years have outpaced inflation. We were told these were to substantially increase the amount of renewable/solar sourcing which should reduce costs, yet we see little progress in that area. It is time to prioritize the interests of your customer base, not just stockholders.
This is a regulated monopoly, we cannot find other sources, the essence of competition and lower prices, we have to depend on you, the regulators to control the prices of this monopoly, since we cannot
My Teco bill use to $145 and now I am paying $328 on average and to say that being proactive by placing all electrical household appliances on a surge protect as well as turning off my water heater when not in demand as been to no avail. What an act of abuse...
Since being bought by Emera, a Canadian company Tecos rates have increased dramatically. Time for the PSA to deny increases. They quote typical users usage as being 1000 KWh I guess that’s per week. Time for the PSA to stop lining the CEO of Emera pocket, his salary is $9 million per year.
TECO is price gouging. My husband has a 2nd house 2 counties over in Zephyrhills and their electric bills with WREC, which is a co-op, are 1/3 of TECO. TECO has a monopoly in Tampa and seem to have bought off and control the board which controls how often they can raise rates. They are both corrupt and we're the ones who suffer. I'm to the point I won't vote for anyone who doesn't advocate for lost taxes, lower insurance rates and lower power rates. These crooks are eating us alive.
Prices are excessive considering I'm using less power
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I am a senior on a fixed income having to keep my AC at 79 degrees in order to pay my bill. I don't know what I'll do this winter. You all have had 5 rate increases over the last 5 years and honestly it doesn't seem like you have any concern over how gravely this affects your customers, especially we seniors.