A new poll reveals that three in four Florida voters believe their electricity costs are too high, signaling broad bipartisan agreement on an issue that has emerged as a significant concern for households and businesses across the state. The poll, conducted by Florida Politics and reported by the Miami Times on August 18, 2026, highlights the political and economic salience of utility costs in a state where air conditioning is essential for most of the year.
Florida residential electricity rates reached 15.86 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2026, according to utility industry data. For a state with high cooling demand due to its tropical climate, even modest rate increases translate into significant monthly cost increases for consumers. The poll findings indicate that voters across the political spectrum are feeling the impact.
The broad agreement on electricity costs is notable in a state where voters frequently disagree on many policy issues. The poll suggests that utility affordability could become a significant issue in upcoming elections, with both parties potentially seeking to address voter concerns through different policy approaches.
For Miami and South Florida specifically, electricity costs are particularly consequential. The region’s warm climate means air conditioning operates for most of the year, and the area’s large inventory of high-rise condominiums and apartments depends on centralized cooling systems that consume substantial electricity. Low-income households are disproportionately affected, as energy costs consume a larger share of their monthly budgets.
Florida’s electricity rates have been driven higher by several factors, including investments in grid hardening following Hurricane Ian and other major storms, the cost of fuel for natural gas-fired power plants that dominate the state’s generation mix, and the gradual transition to renewable energy sources that requires significant capital investment.
Utility companies in Florida have been investing in solar energy capacity, which is expected to provide long-term cost benefits as fuel costs are eliminated once solar installations are operational. However, the upfront capital costs of building solar farms and the transmission infrastructure to connect them to the grid have contributed to rate increases in the short term.
The poll results come as Florida’s utility regulators consider rate cases from major utilities including Florida Power and Light and Duke Energy Florida. These regulatory proceedings determine how much utilities can charge customers and what returns they can earn on their investments, making them critical forums for balancing utility profitability with consumer affordability.
Business groups have also expressed concern about electricity costs, noting that high energy prices can affect Florida’s competitiveness for business relocation and expansion, particularly in energy-intensive industries such as data centers, manufacturing, and food processing.
Miami Times – Florida Electricity Poll | Florida Politics – Utility Costs Poll
