Tampa Electric is a regulated company that is supposed to provide safe, reliable service at the lowest possible rate. TECO believes they need to increase their rates, but consumers are left wondering why.
Their current rates average just over $102 per month for the 1000 kilowatt usage level. Tampa Electric is asking to raise the monthly base rate by about 10% to cover the increasing operating costs. This would bring the same bill up to $112.
The rate increase affects the residential customers on a fractional scale, but at a public hearing Wednesday night, MaryEllen Elia says that the rate increase would add $2.3 million to the $38 million electric bill and that would be detrimental for Hillsborough County Schools. The Superintendent claims that if the rate increase passes it would cost as much as renovating an elementary school.
Karen Lewis, Director of Customer Service, spoke on behalf of TECO at the Public Service Commission hearing. She made sure to note the five-year gap since Tampa Electric’s last rate increase in 2009.