Tallahassee, FL — The Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) decision to deny reconsideration of Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) nearly $7 billion rate hike adds to growing concerns about energy affordability, as families across the state face rising costs across the board for housing, insurance, gas and basic necessities such as groceries.

The decision now heads to the Florida Supreme Court, following a challenge from the Office of Public Counsel arguing the increase is not in the public interest. The outcome could shape how energy costs are set and who they ultimately serve.

Of note, The Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court criticized the PSC in December 2024 calling it a “black box” for not providing enough information to justify a rate increase.

Earlier this year, The CLEO Institute released a report, Utility Influence: Connecting the Dots, which found that Florida’s largest investor-owned utilities (FPL, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Co. and Florida Public Utilities) have spent more than $80 million since 2018 on lobbying and political contributions, roughly $1 million per month. The report highlights publicly available information on utility spending on campaign contributions and lobbying so readers can connect the dots for themselves as to how that influence shapes decisions that directly impact what Floridians pay for electricity.

Beyond the utilities’ political spending, Florida’s Public Service Commissioners are appointed by the Governor from a slate of names provided by a nominating council largely led by state legislators so they are not elected and accountable to voters.

More than 6 million Florida households began paying higher electricity rates earlier this year following approval of the increase. The rate hike will be felt most by the people who can least afford it. For many households, rising energy costs are not optional, and they come at a time when other essentials continue to climb. This is not the path toward a stronger, more resilient Florida for all.

Without greater transparency and accountability, the gap between how decisions are made and how they are felt at home will continue to widen. Higher energy bills are already hitting families, and what happens next will determine whether that burden grows or is addressed.