“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.
"Florida is in the midst of an affordability crisis, and that includes housing and insurance and people's utility bills. And we've watched the utility bills for Florida rate payers go up and up and up."
“Florida is in the midst of an affordability crisis, and that includes housing and insurance and people’s utility bills. And we’ve watched the utility bills for Florida rate payers go up and up and up”
Utilities don’t just lobby lawmakers, they bankroll their campaigns, meaning they have an outsized role in shaping our communities and costs for utilities and insurance. A new report from The CLEO Institute, “Utility Influence: Connecting the Dots,” details how deep utility influence in Tallahassee runs.
“Floridians are paying the price for a monopoly utility system that prioritizes profits over the basic needs of consumers,” said Samantha Kaddis, Advocacy and Campaigns Associate with The CLEO Institute.
© 2026 The CLEO Institute. All Rights Reserved. The CLEO Institute is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 27-3185735) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. FLORIDA REGISTRATION NUMBER: CH40990 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. FLORIDA REGISTRATION 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com
