By Zachary Colletti, Conservatives for Clean Energy – Florida
This summer, Florida was the No. 1 economy in the country in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business” rankings. The achievement comes thanks to the bold leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis and our state leaders, the illustrious businesses that call this state home and the hard-working families that make it all possible. Recently proposed utility rate hikes would only put an undue burden on the working families that are foundational to Florida’s success.
The day President Donald Trump took office, he vowed to unleash affordable and reliable American energy to curb the rising energy costs that “devastate American consumers by driving up the cost of transportation, heating, utilities, farming and manufacturing, while weakening our national security.” Florida should be following the president’s lead.
I work alongside families, businesses and community leaders across the state, and I’ve seen the negative impact of high energy costs firsthand. Florida must continue innovating and preparing the power grid for growth and storms, but higher utility bills are not the answer, and they fly in the face of Trump and DeSantis’ leadership.
A recent proposal before the Public Service Commission would hike rates by 10.5% for millions of Floridians. Even a modest monthly increase can push working families and seniors on fixed incomes to choose between necessities and will work against our state’s nation-leading economic growth. Further, rate increases have historically failed to deliver on their promised results, a fact commissioners should remember.
The commission should require greater accountability and provide more public transparency before approving new increases. Families, seniors and small businesses deserve assurances that their needs will come first and that any increase truly leads to stronger service and long-term value.
The good news is that we have smarter options.
Florida communities have shown that it is possible to strengthen resilience and reliability without raising household costs. When modern infrastructure and innovative technology are put to work, families benefit from lower electric bills and service they can count on, even when severe storms hit.
These kinds of forward-looking investments prove that innovation can protect both pocketbooks and peace of mind for Florida families. Florida leaders could explore even more market-based approaches to lowering household utility bills by increasing transparency and allowing more public input into the energy resource planning process.
Florida can modernize its grid, expand cleaner and more cost-effective technologies, and prepare for future growth without saddling families with higher bills. Affordability, reliability and innovation must go hand in hand if we want to secure a brighter energy future for Florida.
Zachary Colletti is the executive director of Conservatives for Clean Energy – Florida. This opinion piece was originally published by the Tampa Bay Times, which is a media partner of The Invading Sea. Banner photo: High-voltage power lines (iStock image).
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