POWER STRUGGLE

A Tampa Bay Times special report

Why Tampa Bay electric bills were so high in 2025

Many Duke Energy and Tampa Electric customers said they paid their highest bills ever this year.

Here’s what people across Tampa Bay are paying for electricity

Hundreds of residents told us about their electric bills. Their costs depended on much more than their thermostat.

These Floridians waged war on their electric bills. Only some of them won

From futuristic battery setups to washing dishes at night, here’s how Tampa Bay residents tried to lower costs.

For Tampa Bay’s mobile home residents, high electric bills can be a crisis

Energy efficiency standards for mobile homes haven’t been updated in decades, allowing leaky walls to sap budgets.

Tampa Bay’s shrinking tree coverage raises electric bill concerns

Tree cover in Tampa fell to a 20-year low after Hurricane Milton.

About the reporters
Emily L. Mahoney - Energy Reporter
Emily L. Mahoney

is an energy reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. Read more.

Max Chesnes - Environment and Climate Reporter
Max Chesnes

is an environment and climate reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. Read more.

Michaela Mulligan - Environment and Climate Reporter
Michaela Mulligan

is an environment and climate reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. Read more.

Jack Prator - Environment and Breaking News Reporter
Jack Prator

is an environment and breaking news reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. Read more.