TAMPA, Fla. — As TECO’s parent company held its annual shareholder meeting, some customers held one of their own.
The grassroots environmental group Sierra Club organized a “Ratepayer Power Watch,” bringing together residents frustrated with rising electric bills and energy costs.
Advocates say the timing is critical. With summer heat building and some solar incentives going away, they warn customers may have fewer options to manage rising bills.
“People are choosing — do I pay my electric bill, or do I pay for rent, food, or medication?” said Walter Smith with the Sierra Club.
For Tampa resident Belinda Turner, the strain is already real.
Turner, who lives on a fixed income of about $900 a month in Social Security, says her electric bills have reached into the hundreds — cutting into money for basic necessities.
“The first couple of bills were in the hundreds. It’s a lot, especially for just one person,” Turner said.
Year after year, advocates say these stories are becoming more common. The Sierra Club is calling for a pause on rate hikes and a shift away from fossil fuels.
As previously reported, two of three chimneys at TECO’s Big Bend Power Plant have been dismantled. But advocates say the remaining coal unit should also be retired.
“Big Bend Unit 4 is outdated. It needs to be retired. Burning fossil fuels like that is expensive, and it’s driving up bills,” Smith said.
In a statement to Spectrum News, TECO spokesperson Cherie Jacobs said the company is aware of customer concerns and expects some relief ahead.
“Tampa Electric’s mission is to provide efficient, reliable electricity for West Central Florida well into the future,” Jacobs said. “We understand the concerns about higher energy costs, and TECO customers’ bills will decline 11% to 12% in September, when the temporary storm charge ends.”
The company also says customers struggling with high bills can explore payment plans and assistance programs.
Still, Sierra Club organizers argue that the loss of solar incentives could make it harder — especially for lower-income households — to reduce costs long-term.
“It’s hurting people’s pocketbooks, their health, and the environment. There are better options,” said Sierra Club organizer Suzanne Sapp.
TECO says coal made up less than 1% of its fuel mix last year.