Florida regulators Monday dug into a proposal that would lead to Tampa Electric Co. raising base electric rates, with representatives of consumers and businesses arguing the proposal should be scaled back.
Tampa Electric is asking the Florida Public Service Commission to approve a $287.98 million increase in 2025, followed by increases of $92.37 million in 2026 and $65.47 million in 2027.
Jeff Wahlen, an attorney for the utility, told commissioners that the proposal balances a series of issues, including helping Tampa Electric provide reliable service to customers.
“Tampa Electric is responsible and accountable for keeping the lights on,” Wahlen said. “Balancing the factors needed for safe, reliable and cost-effective electric service is not easy.”
But Patricia Christensen, an attorney with the state’s Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility cases, argued that the increase in 2025 should be a maximum of $73 million. Also, she said the amounts could be lowered in the subsequent years.