Utility Costs

The city council is scheduled to vote on a study to see if that's a better option. Complaints have grown about rising costs and the utility cutting down trees on private property.

The city and Duke Energy announced the Renter Utility Relief Program at a news conference Friday. This plan will help renters pay electric, sanitation and water bills that are past due.

North Port officials say residents who want to temporarily discontinue services could face a $27,000 reconnection fee.

As the Build Back Better Act out of Washington gives hope to environmental justice advocates in Florida, an "anti-net metering bill" out of Tallahassee brings concern.

The proposal, if approved by the Florida Public Service Commission, would lead to Duke residential customers to pay $6.62 a month more for 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity starting in March.

TECO has about 800,000 customers across most of Hillsborough County and parts of Polk, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.