Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida — ​​Today, 30 Manatee County small businesses — including local restaurants, an insurance agency, and construction company — sent a letter organized by Food & Water Watch to Florida Senate President-Elect Jim Boyd, asking him to publicly support affordable energy reform. Ratepayers for Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, and Florida Power & Light (FPL) have all seen significant rate hikes in recent years. 

Last November, DeSantis’ utility commissioners gave FPL the greenlight to increase rates for customers — 216,000 of which are located in Manatee County — by nearly $7 billion, largely benefitting industrial customers. Despite a request from the Manatee County Commission, the Public Service Commission failed to provide an in-district opportunity for customers to voice their concerns about the rate hike. Small businesses incurred the highest rate increase. 

Nationally, 80% of small business owners say energy costs significantly impact their business.

The letter, in part, reads: 

As the next Senate President, you have a unique opportunity to stand with working Floridians and local businesses to put an end to excessive utility rate hikes. Senator Boyd, we urge you to protect the financial wellbeing of our communities and support affordable energy reform. 

“Florida Power & Light’s rate hike last year hit small businesses hardest, with their rates going up more than any other customer class. These are the same businesses that are the backbone of our communities, creating jobs and keeping our economy moving. It’s outrageous that greedy corporations get huge handouts while small local businesses struggle to keep the lights on and doors open,” said Isabella Moeller, Florida Organizer for Food & Water Watch. “Manatee County’s own Senator Jim Boyd has expressed support for creating guardrails on utility regulators to protect Florida families. As our next Senate President, we need him to put that support into action and reel in Florida’s utility regulators from prioritizing the interests of big corporations and leaving small family businesses footing the bill.” 

“As a small business, Tampa Contracting Services, Inc. has seen the rise and fall of the economy over our 35+ years in business. With insurance premiums, the cost of goods, and electric bills rising, it’s becoming increasingly expensive to keep our business running,” said Tamara Harte, Vice President of Tampa Contracting Services. “Small businesses shouldn’t have to break the bank to invest in a more affordable future. Our elected officials, including Senator Boyd, need to support energy affordability and hold utility companies accountable for rising costs. We need good policies that put Florida’s small businesses and communities first, not large corporations’ profits.”

“Running a small business is no easy feat, and rising energy bills has made the process even more uncertain. Energy affordability is crucial for the survival of small businesses, and it’s why we need real policy change to make sure that shops like mine can continue serving the communities we love,” said Chris Ziebell, owner of Memory Lane Tattoo.