As utility costs continue to climb, Floridians are feeling the pinch. The state’s investor-owned utilities (IOUs) have seen significant rate increases over the past five years, leaving many to wonder why the attorney general hasn’t stepped in to curb these hikes.
In other states, attorneys general have actively intervened to protect consumers from exorbitant rate increases. However, in Florida, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has been the primary regulator, with mixed results. Critics argue that the PSC has failed to adequately protect consumers, and the attorney general‘s office has not provided the necessary oversight.
Attorneys General in Other States Take Action
In ArizonaAttorney General Kris Mayes intervened when Arizona Public Services proposed a 14% rate hike last fall. Similarly, in MichiganAttorney General Dana Nessel filed testimony to slash an 85% rate hike by DTE Energy in March. In North CarolinaAttorney General Jeff Jackson recently urged state regulators to reduce Duke Energy Carolinas’ proposed rate increase.
These actions contrast sharply with Florida’s approach. When Florida Power & Light (FPL) proposed a nearly $7 billion rate hike last year, then-Attorney General Ashley Moody made no move to intervene. This inaction has raised eyebrows, especially given the significant rate increases approved during her tenure.
The Florida Public Service Commission’s Role
The florida public Service Commission (PSC) is tasked with protecting consumers from unfair rate hikes. However, critics contend that the commission has been ineffective in this role for decades. The PSC is composed of five members appointed by the governor, selected from a pool of nominees submitted by a joint state House-Senate committee and confirmed by the Senate.
With the PSC’s perceived inefficacy, the attorney general can play a crucial role in advocating for consumers. Former Florida Governor Charlie Cristwho served as attorney general from 2003 to 2007, highlighted this responsibility during a recent forum. “As attorney general, I sued utility companies,” Crist stated. “I sued power companies. I sued insurance companies. Why? Because the Public Service Commission was supposed to regulate them, [and] was not regulating them hardly at all.”
Historical Context: Florida’s Attorney Generals and Rate Hikes
Historically, Florida’s attorneys general have had varying levels of involvement in utility rate cases. In 2009, then-Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum supported the Florida Office of Public Counsel’s petition to oppose FPL’s proposed rate increase, resulting in a freeze of base rates through the end of 2012. In 2005, Crist filed petitions with the PSC to oppose rate hikes proposed by FPL and Progress Energy Florida (now Duke Energy), leading to a four-year rate freeze.
“The utility companies are entitled to make a profit,” Crist said at the time, “but not exorbitant profit borne on the backs of our people and our businesses.” This sentiment underscores the delicate balance between allowing utilities to operate profitably and protecting consumers from unfair rate hikes.
The Impact of Campaign Contributions
Critics argue that campaign contributions from utility companies may influence the attorney general’s willingness to intervene in rate cases. Since her first campaign for attorney general in 2017, Ashley Moody has received significant contributions from major IOUs. Campaign records show that the utility industry spent nearly $300,000 to support her runs for attorney general in 2018 and 2026.
Moody has raised more money from electric power utilities (around $90,000) than any other candidate for Senate this election cycle. In total, she has received $431,000 in campaign contributions from IOUs, according to a report released in February by the CLEO Institute. While this amount is substantial, it is dwarfed by the contributions received by other Florida officials, such as Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson ($1.86 million) and U.S. Rep. Byron donalds ($1.13 million).
Critics, including Moody’s Democratic opponent Alex Vindmanargue that these contributions create a conflict of interest. “Ashley Moody is a corrupt career politician who never challenges a utility rate hike because the utility monopolies keep spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to elect her,” Vindman stated. “Moody is fighting for large corporations and not you.”
Can Attorney General Intervention Make a Difference?
The potential impact of attorney general intervention in utility rate cases is a subject of debate. Bradley Marshallan attorney with Earthjusticeargues that the attorney general’s office has resources that other intervening parties lack. However, the effectiveness of such intervention depends on the attorney general’s commitment to fighting for consumers.
“If the AGs had intervened to truly fight for Florida consumers, I do think it would have helped and potentially made a difference,” Marshall stated. “How big of a difference would be just speculation on my part, though.”
Former Miami-Dade Democratic state Sen. José Javier Rodríguezwho is running for attorney general in November, emphasizes the importance of the attorney general’s role as “the people’s lawyer.” “That is not a partisan statement,” he said. “Before General [Pam] Bondi, it was routine for our attorney general, even if some were more robust than others in terms of bringing legal actions, at least if there was a case in front of the PSC, they would show up and do something. Advocate on behalf of the people.”
The debate over the attorney general’s role in regulating utility rate hikes is far from settled. As Florida continues to grapple with rising utility costs, the need for effective oversight and consumer advocacy remains crucial.
