On Tuesday morning, the Florida Public Service Commission approved motions that would lead to rate hikes for Tampa Electric Company (TECO) and Duke Energy customers. Items 3 and 4 on Tuesday's agenda saw both utility companies implement an interim storm recovery charge for restoration costs related to hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, and Milton. TECO requested to recover $463.6 million while Duke requested $1.09 billion. According to a report from the News Service of Florida, large chunks of the costs stem from assembling thousands of workers, including crews from other states, to restore power after the storms passed. With this approval, the average residential customer using 1000-1250 kWH will now be paying $360-$490 more over the course of the increase starting in March, according to a report from nonprofit Florida Food & Water Watch. According to the watch group, this means that Tampa Bay residents’ electricity bills will be among the nation’s highest this summer. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/money/rate-hikes-duke-teco-customers-florida-psc-approval/67-a961e088-7f0a-4b47-ada6-beff443624b1