TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Supreme Court has temporarily suspended two appeals challenging rate increases for Tampa Electric Co., granting a stay requested by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC).
The stay comes in response to a motion for reconsideration filed in February by the state Office of Public Counsel with the PSC.
The Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumer interests in utility matters, also filed a separate appeal with the Supreme Court this month, challenging the PSC’s approval of the rate increases. Additionally, Florida Rising, Inc., and LULAC Florida, Inc. (League of United Latin American Citizens of Florida) had also filed appeals.
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The PSC requested the Supreme Court to hold the appeals “in abeyance” while it considers the Office of Public Counsel’s motion for reconsideration. The PSC has committed to addressing the motion in a future public meeting and issuing a written order.
In December, the PSC approved a nearly $185 million base-rate increase for Tampa Electric in 2025, followed by expected increases of $86.6 million in 2026 and $9.1 million in 2027. The first phase of these increases took effect in January.
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The Supreme Court’s decision to grant the stay effectively pauses the legal challenges to the rate hikes, pending the PSC’s decision on the reconsideration motion.
This development adds a layer of uncertainty for Tampa Electric customers, who are already seeing the initial impact of the approved increases.
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