Tallahassee, FL — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Ana Ortega and Bobby Payne to serve on the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC is responsible for facilitating utility services at “fair prices” through economic regulation and regulatory oversight. According to Food & Water Watch research, between December 2019 and June 2025, the PSC approved increasing Florida utility bills by:

• 66% for Tampa Electric customers
• 44% for Duke Energy customers
• 38% for Florida Power & Light customers
• 7% for Florida Power & Light Gulf customers

Upset at the PSC has mounted during DeSantis’ tenure and has grown this year as Florida Power and Light (FPL) — the state’s largest utility provider — announced the largest rate hike request in U.S. history at nearly $10 billion. Just four years ago, the PSC awarded FPL the largest rate increase in U.S. history at $5 billion. PSC hearings on the rate case begin Monday; a decision is expected by the end of the year.

Brooke Ward, Food & Water Watch Senior Florida Organizer, issued the following statement in response to the appointments:

“For too long, DeSantis’ PSC has rubber stamped corporate utility wish lists, causing bills to skyrocket under his watch. Floridians are struggling to afford the cost of living, and utility regulators have been failing to do their job. The new commissioners must break the pattern of neglect by prioritizing community need above corporate greed. Today’s appointees must usher in a new era of transparency, accountability, and affordable energy for all.”