Byron Donalds’ plan to lower electric bills could raise them instead, experts say

"What makes electric bills go up is building expensive new power plants and costly capital expenditures such as transmission lines and undergrounding," said Susan Glickman, a longtime Florida clean energy advocate and vice president of policy and partnership at The CLEO Institute, a nonprofit focused on climate change. When it comes to nuclear, "it's a big red flag when Donalds pushes for the most expensive form of power," she added.

By |2026-10-16T10:02:32-04:0016 October, 2026|2026, CLEO News|0 Comments

St. Petersburg coalition launches push for city-owned electric utility on 2028 ballot

“Duke Energy gets 90% of its electricity from burning gas or coal,” Maguire said. “They are an extremely dirty and polluting utility, and they essentially get to do that polluting for free because it’s the young people today that are going to deal with a warmer environment and stronger storms and more flooding in the decades to come.” 

By |2026-09-25T11:19:04-04:0025 September, 2026|2026, CLEO News|0 Comments

Jacksonville Bold for 8.5.26: Bar rescue

“In 2023, JEA claimed a new methane gas plant was the most affordable option for Jacksonville’s energy needs. Just two years later, projected costs have increased 139%, and an independent analysis found the project could cost customers an additional $2.5 billion over its lifetime, plus roughly $1 billion in health impacts from pollution,” said Susan Glickman, vice president of Policy and Partnerships at The CLEO Institute.

By |2026-08-17T15:31:13-04:0017 August, 2026|2026, CLEO News|0 Comments

Overlooked and Underwater: In a state flood resilience program, some inland communities feel forgotten

“We keep mopping the floor of this overflowing bathtub,” Yoca Arditi-Rocha, CEO of The CLEO Institute, said, “and we're cleaning it with taxpayers' dollars.” She’d like to see state legislators turn off the tap.

By |2026-08-12T12:47:28-04:0012 August, 2026|2026, CLEO News|0 Comments

Environmental groups say JEA ‘leadership turmoil’ should spur public input into resource planning

“In 2023, JEA claimed a new methane gas plant was the most affordable option for Jacksonville’s energy needs. Just two years later, projected costs have increased 139%, and an independent analysis found the project could cost customers an additional $2.5 billion over its lifetime, plus roughly $1 billion in health impacts from pollution,” said Susan Glickman, Vice President of Policy and Partnerships at The CLEO Institute.

By |2026-07-31T09:26:44-04:0031 July, 2026|2026, CLEO News|0 Comments

‘Condemn the lie’: Ken Welch slams Charlie Crist after Florida Politics publisher spreads affair rumors

Electric utilities are one of the top sources of money and lobbying in Florida politics, spending nearly $80 million on political contributions alone from 2017-2025 according to a report from The CLEO institute. Some of that money has found its way into the pockets of Peter Schorsch. An invoice for advertising he shared with reporters from NPR shows that Florida Power & Light paid Schorsch at least $43,000 in 2021 alone.

By |2026-07-28T11:15:21-04:0028 July, 2026|2026, CLEO News|0 Comments

Florida Anti-Net Zero Law Takes Effect July 1

“It means that everyone is going to pay more money on their power bills, and there are plenty of people who can absorb a higher energy bill. But there are a lot of people who cannot, and this is coming at a time when housing prices are up, groceries are up, and insurance prices are high. And so there are people who are suffering out there.”

By |2026-07-09T20:41:08-04:001 July, 2026|2026, CLEO News|0 Comments

New Florida Law Bans Local Net-Zero Emissions Policies

“It means that everyone is going to pay more money on their power bills, and there are plenty of people who can absorb a higher energy bill,” Susan Glickman said. “But there are a lot of people who cannot, and this is coming at a time when housing prices are up, groceries are up and insurance prices are high. And so there are people who are suffering out there.”

By |2026-06-30T10:41:35-04:0030 June, 2026|2026, CLEO News|0 Comments

Donalds and Jolly bicker over response to utility profitability

The CLEO Institute, a climate change advocacy group, reports that Donalds has received $1.79 million in campaign contributions from Florida’s major power utilities over the years, trailing only Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson among Florida leaders.

By |2026-06-24T11:01:11-04:0024 June, 2026|2026, CLEO News|0 Comments
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