TECO Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

View of the Tampa Electric (TECO) power plant in Apollo Beach, featuring three tall smokestacks releasing large plumes of white exhaust into a clear blue sky, with the industrial facility at the water's edge.

Sierra Club gives TECO, Duke failing grades on clean energy

Nearly 90% of TECO’s electricity generation comes from fossil fuels, mostly natural gas.

by Valerie Smith September 25, 2026September 25, 2026

Tampa Bay’s electric utilities are facing a struggle familiar to those of us who were academic delinquents: a bad report card. The Sierra Club’s annual Dirty Truths report evaluates every American electric utility’s progress towards eliminating pollution-heavy energy production methods. Duke scored 7 out of 100. TECO scored 2 out of 100. Utilities were scored […]

TECO says it will end storm surcharge a month early

TECO serves about 860,000 customers in west-central Florida.

by News Service of Florida July 29, 2026July 29, 2026

View of the Tampa Electric (TECO) power plant in Apollo Beach, featuring three tall smokestacks releasing large plumes of white exhaust into a clear blue sky, with the industrial facility at the water's edge.

TECO rate hike approved, set to start in January

According to Food & Water Watch, the average TECO residential customer will pay $5.51 more each month.

by Chris Young and WMNF News November 6, 2025November 6, 2025

TECO rate hikes likely headed to Florida Supreme Court

Base rates make up a major part of customers’ monthly electric bills.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 6, 2025August 3, 2025

TECO hike rates get backing, despite objections from Florida Rising and others

The regulatory commission is scheduled May 6 to take up a request by the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents ratepayers, and two consumer groups to reconsider approval of the rate hikes.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida April 28, 2025June 11, 2025

Florida regulators approve a near $20 monthly hike for Duke Energy, Tampa Electric customers

“Tampa Electric understands that an additional charge is always difficult for customers,” Means said.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida February 4, 2025August 1, 2025

State regulators will allow Tampa Electric to raise rates in 2025

Tampa Electric requested that the Public Service Commission approve a $287.9 million increase in 2025.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 19, 2024May 26, 2025

Rate hikes at Tampa Electric teed up for 2025

Tampa Electric has about 844,000 customers in Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 16, 2024June 15, 2025

Regulators approve plan to allow Tampa Electric Co. to raise rates for customers next month

Tampa Electric, also known as TECO, serves about 844,000 customers.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida December 4, 2024June 22, 2025

Tampa Electric Co. wants nearly $400 million from customers for hurricane-related costs

TECO would need to seek approval from the Florida Public Service Commission.

by News Service of Florida November 12, 2024May 22, 2025

Over 1 million Florida residents left without power following Hurricane Helene

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promised linemen would be in the field restoring power “probably as soon as there’s light out.”

by Colin Wolf September 27, 2024October 14, 2024

Florida regulators weigh-in on potential TECO rate hikes in 2025

“Tampa Electric is responsible and accountable for keeping the lights on,” Wahlen said.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida August 27, 2024November 20, 2024

Tampa Bay residents will see cheaper electric bills starting next month

The plans approved Tuesday will lead to about $233.5 million in savings for Duke customers and $137.9 million for Tampa Electric customers.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida May 7, 2024May 11, 2025

Tampa Bay residents might actually see lower bills from TECO and Duke this summer

Natural gas prices have been volatile in recent years.

by Colin Wolf and News Service of Florida April 29, 2024March 31, 2025

Florida residents can expect lower utility bills in 2024, with the biggest dips coming from TECO and Duke

Gas prices, however, have subsided, resulting in utilities not having to collect as much from customers in 2024 to cover the tab.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 21, 2023September 4, 2024

Tampa Electric plans to reduce customer bills in 2024

“Fuel costs have declined since the high prices of 2022, and, as a result, we are expecting lower electricity bills in 2024.”

by News Service of Florida August 17, 2023February 23, 2024

TECO just set a new record for summer electricity use

“Air conditioners are working harder, and bills are higher as a result.”

by News Service of Florida August 10, 2023May 6, 2024

Once again, TECO wants to raise Tampa customer bills this spring

The proposed increases would come on top of Duke and Tampa Electric hikes that took effect this month.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida January 25, 2023July 12, 2025

Tampa Bay environmentalists push back on proposed fracked gas pipeline expansion

Environmentalists say expanding fossil fuels will only hurt the local environment and residents.

by Justin Garcia January 17, 2023June 4, 2025

Citing increased fuel costs, TECO rates will increase by 10 percent this January

They likely will increase again in the spring because of high costs of natural gas used to fuel power plants.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida December 7, 2022June 2, 2025