News Summary
Federal funding has been made available to assist Florida families struggling with rising electric bills due to increasing energy costs. The Florida Commerce is offering energy bill credits of up to $1,000 to eligible households. Major energy companies in Tampa Bay are participating in this initiative, which aims to alleviate the financial burden on local families amidst inflation and continuous rate hikes. Community efforts are also underway to encourage local involvement and improve energy efficiency solutions for low-income households.
Tampa, Florida – Federal funding is now available to help families in Florida facing challenges with rising electric bills due to increasing energy costs. The Florida Commerce is offering up to $1,000 in energy bill credits for eligible families. This initiative comes at a crucial time as many households are struggling to keep up with heightened energy expenses.
Participating energy companies in Tampa Bay, including Tampa Electric and Duke Energy, are assisting in the funding efforts. So far, over 4,000 customers of Withlacoochee River Electric have received financial help. Tampa Electric has implemented a new form for customers to opt into the funding through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is accepting applications until the end of June.
To qualify for LIHEAP, a family’s total income must not exceed 60% of the Florida state median income; for instance, a family of four cannot earn more than $59,000 annually. In the past year, tens of thousands of Tampa Electric customers have qualified for state assistance, highlighting the growing need for such support.
Despite these relief measures, community advocates are voicing concerns about the temporary nature of these financial aids, which do not address ongoing issues such as rate increases. Customers of Tampa Electric and Duke Energy faced a monthly bill rise of $20 last March, and continuous rate hikes are affecting households amid rampant inflation.
In response to these issues, Hillsborough County is set to receive over $700 million in federal disaster funds to support local energy projects. To further discuss energy funding projects, the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition will be hosting a community event next Saturday at 3:30 PM at the Seminole Heights Library, encouraging local involvement and awareness.
Tampa Electric recommends that customers apply for assistance funding by June, while Duke Energy customers have until September to submit their applications. Duke Energy Florida has recently filed for new base rates with the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) to support investments in innovative technologies that aim to reduce outages and improve efficiency.
The proposed base rate changes are expected to lead to an average annual increase of about 4% for residential customers from 2025 to 2027, translating to an estimated increase of $16.48 per month starting in 2025. However, it is anticipated that customer bills will decrease overall beginning January 2025 when compared to January 2024, as previous costs expire.
Duke Energy has committed to transitioning towards clean energy, focusing on investments in solar technologies and emissions reduction initiatives. The company is also prioritizing energy efficiency improvements, particularly through programs aimed at low-income households. In 2023, Duke Energy distributed over $1 million in financial assistance for energy bills via its Share the Light Fund, while enhancing outreach efforts to guarantee customers are connected to various billing assistance programs.
Advocacy groups continue to emphasize the necessity for stronger energy efficiency programs, which are essential for helping families reduce their overall energy costs. As federal funding and support programs become available, local residents are encouraged to explore their options to manage escalating energy expenses effectively.
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Additional Resources
- WTSP News
- Wikipedia: Electricity Pricing
- Duke Energy News
- Google Search: Energy Assistance Programs
- PNJ News
- Google Scholar: Utility Rate Hikes Florida
- Florida Phoenix
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Energy Efficiency
- Duke Energy News
- Google News: Difficulties with Electric Bills
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
