Tampa, FL — The Hillsborough Legislative Delegation met today at Tampa’s SkyCenter to hear from constituents about local concerns for the upcoming legislative session beginning January 2024. Several local activists turned out to the meeting, calling on the delegation to help lower energy bills by moving off fossil fuels and prioritizing energy efficiency programs. Specifically, activists asked the delegation to investigate how Floridians can access $346 million in federal energy efficiency funds, after Governor DeSantis denied the funding in a political stunt earlier this summer.

Since January 2019, the average Tampa Electric bill has increased 62%, largely due to a continued reliance on volatile, dirty fossil fuels like fracked gas. Moving off fossil fuels and increasing energy efficiency are key to reducing energy costs.

Food & Water Watch Senior Florida Organizer Brooke Ward, who has been leading Hillsborough County efforts to address fossil-fueled rate hikes, issued the following statement:

“Floridians have watched their rates skyrocket over the past couple years from volatile fossil fuel costs. Until we end our unsustainable reliance on fossil fuels, our rates will continue to be unpredictable. Energy efficiency can help to immediately reduce our energy use and bills while we make the transition to clean, renewable energy.

“Governor DeSantis spat in the face of Floridians this summer when he rejected millions of dollars that would have reduced bills across the state. Our Hillsborough Legislative Delegation and Hillsborough County Commission, led by Chair Ken Hagan, can help Floridians get life-saving, cost-cutting energy efficiency upgrades by bringing the monies to local governments and making it accessible to Hillsborough County residents.”