Tampa Electric customers will have higher utility bills averaging over $25 more per month starting in January 2022. On top of these new base rates, Tampa Electric customers will already see their monthly bills rise $12.82 throughout the remainder of 2021.

This is because, in 2019, Tampa Electric announced its plan to shut down a coal plant unit at their Big Bend Power Station in Hillsborough County, along with converting another as a natural gas plant by 2023. This costly project, totaling $853 million, would shift 75% of its energy production to natural gas and 12% to coal by 2023. TECO refused to pursue renewable energy measures that would’ve been more affordable, and are now placing the cost burden on their customers.

TECO Energy is leaving our communities behind. With rate increases averaging $300 more per year, the number of energy burdened households, unable to access renewable energy and continuing to struggle with paying their utility bills, will grow dramatically.

While ratepayers faced unemployment and housing costs at an unprecedented level, Tampa Electric Company continues to disconnect thousands of customers, many already on payment arrangements.

Working people cannot afford additional increases to their utility bills and TECO Energy has not delivered the renewable energy they promised to provide to customers.

Sign up to stay informed on the utility rate hikes that Tampa Electric/TECO Gas is proposing and how you can join the fight to expand access to renewable energy and make utility bills affordable.