Tampa, FL — Today, members of the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition (HAEC) gave public comments at a Tampa City Council meeting to demand action on affordable energy. The HAEC repeated their calls from March and May of this year, where they urged Council to pass an affordable energy resolution that would: reject inequitable rate hikes; urge state lawmakers to pass affordable energy reform legislation; oppose the construction of hyperscale data centers; and call for accessible, in-district hearings when utilities propose rate increases. 

In addition to an affordable energy resolution, advocates outlined direct actions Tampa City Council can directly promote to support affordable energy for all residents by:

• Intervening in Tampa Electric’s (TECO) next rate case, anticipated in the new year;
• Holding TECO accountable by negotiating affordable, clean energy in their next franchise agreement;
• Offering energy efficiency and plug-in solar programs to residents; and 
• Ensuring the city’s lobbyists are lobbying for affordable energy legislation in Tallahassee next year. 

August marks five years since Tampa City Council passed a resolution that commits to adopting 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. Despite previous bold commitments to energy affordability and sustainability, Council has remained inactive on building on this work by promoting affordable energy reform for residential and small business ratepayers.

“Now is the time for Tampa to move on affordable energy. Florida is becoming less affordable by the day, so instead of sitting by and watching residents suffer under TECO’s outrageous electricity bills, Tampa City Council must use its prominent platform to demand action,” said Isabella Moeller, Florida Organizer with Food & Water Watch. “While Council cannot directly lower electricity bills, they can advocate for the kind of change they committed the city to five years ago. We are all TECO customers; we all have a stake in this fight for affordable, clean energy for all. Tampa City Council must pass an affordable energy resolution now.” 

“If the City believes there are limits to what it can legally or practically do, then tell us exactly what those limits are, and what you are going to do within those limits,” said Alyssa White, Climate Justice Organizer with Florida Student Power. “Because saying, ‘We don’t control the rates,’ cannot be the end of the conversation. It should be the beginning of the question of ‘What CAN we do?’”

In 2025, TECO residential customers paid the third highest bills in the nation, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data. Updated Food & Water Watch analysis finds that between January 2021 and January 2026, TECO bills for residential ratepayers using 1,000 kWh/month have seen an increase of $77.22 per month or $926.64 per year — an 81% increase. 

This Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition event is in partnership with Food & Water Watch, Florida Student Power, Sierra Club, Florida Rising, Tampa DSA, Central Florida Jobs with Justice, genCLEO, & League of United Latin American Citizens.