BRANDON, Fla. — Thursday marked another day of customers sounding off over proposed utility rate increases as the Florida Public Service Commission held another public hearing, this time at Hillsborough Community College in Brandon.
On Wednesday, Duke customers expressed their concerns to the commission in Inverness.
During hours of public comment Thursday, TECO customers expressed their fears of price hikes pinching their bottom lines and urged the Florida Public Service Commission to say no to proposed rate increases.
Denise Herndon said the cost of electricity has her already making tough decisions.
"My dogs were left in my house with just fans turned on because I can't afford the high electric bill for the A/C," she said.
Crystal Harris has made similar tough decisions: "I am a mother of six on a fixed income," she said. "And each month I have to decide if I'm going to pay my rent in full or pay my TECO bill."
Walter M. Smith II has heard countless stories of people struggling with the cost of living.
"People come to me and tell me their child was taken out of their home because they could not keep the lights on," Smith said.
TECO is proposing rate increases costing the average customer more than an extra $200 per year.
Customers like Brook Ward call it "an unconscionable increase."
"This is an issue of corporate greed," Ward said. "Not corporate need."
We asked TECO spokesperson Cherie Jacobs if this rate hike was essential. She responded, "This rate hike will provide significant benefits to customers, and the impact on customer bills, we expect to be a modest impact."
Jacobs said more money will mean better service.
"It will reduce the number and lengths of power outages. It would help reduce restoration time after a severe hurricane. It will also reduce fuel costs in several ways," Jacobs said.
The Public Services Commission staff will continue to gather feedback, evaluate all they've heard, and make a recommendation with the commission about the proposed TECO rate increases.
Commissioners will then vote on the matter around November.