BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) – Energy and climate advocates gathered Tuesday to urge Senate President-Elect Jim Boyd to support affordable energy reforms as Florida residents face steep electricity bills.
The event was organized by the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition and Food & Water Watch, along with several partner groups. Organizers used a fishing-themed message to call on Boyd to “reel in” utility bills and corporate profits.
According to Food & Water Watch, residential electric bills rose sharply between December 2020 and January 2026. The group said Tampa Electric bills increased 86%, or about $980 more annually. Duke Energy bills increased 49%, or about $747 more annually. Florida Power & Light bills increased 45%, or about $511 more annually.
The group cited a report from the CLEO Institute published last month. The report found Tampa Electric’s CEO made $2.4 million in 2024, Duke Energy’s CEO made $6.3 million, and Florida Power & Light’s CEO made $11.4 million.
Bill aimed at blocking Manatee County cruise port moves closer to becoming law
Organizers said the same report found customers of Tampa Electric, Duke Energy and Florida Power & Light paid three of the 10 highest bills in the country last year.
“While Florida families have seen electricity bills go through the roof, CEOs of Florida’s corporate energy utilities are making multi-million-dollar salaries,” Food & Water Watch Florida Organizer Isabella Moeller said in a statement.
Alyssa White, a climate justice organizer with Florida Student Power, said rising utility costs are affecting both students and families across the Tampa Bay area.
“As a TECO customer, I’m tired of being asked to pay more year after year while corporate profits continue to grow,” White said.
The coalition event included Food & Water Watch, Florida Rising, Florida Student Power, genCLEO, Sierra Club, Tampa DSA, Central Florida Jobs with Justice, and the League of Latin American Citizens.
A Florida Power & Light spokesperson said the typical customer bill has gone up $2.50 this year. The increase funds infrastructure improvements and power plants, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said FPL costs are 30% below the national average, and when adjusted for inflation, power bills are 20% lower today compared to 20 years ago. All utility rates are approved by the Public Service Commission.
A group organizer said the average Florida Power & Light customer’s bills have risen by about 45% in the past five years, which is about $500 more annually.
“That’s happening because our utility regulators, the Public Service Commission, continues to approve rate increase after rate increase year after year,” the organizer said.
The organizer said Florida Power & Light received one of the largest utility rate hikes in U.S. history last year.
Copyright 2026 WWSB. All rights reserved.