Release: Energy Deregulation is Bad for Florida

February 25, 2019

FARE launches efforts to set the record straight on the dangers of deregulation

CONTACT: Christian Ulvert | (305) 336-3631

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Floridians for Affordable Reliable Energy (FARE) launched its effort to set the record straight on the dangers of deregulation. FARE will be working hard to set the record straight on efforts to put forward a proposed constitutional amendment to deregulate Florida’s energy market.

Former State Rep. Joe Gibbons shared, “The latest efforts by some in Florida to deregulate our energy market is yet another attempt to bait and switch voters with a misleading initiative. When it comes to Florida’s energy market, ‘choice’ is being used by the big players as an opportunity to fool voters, so the existing structure is abandoned. Today’s regulated market ensures that any rate increases are approved by an accountable commission that oversees the market.”

J.B. Clark with IBEW shared, “Deregulation simply does not work and only serves to enrich the mega-corporations while working families get stuck with higher bills. In fact, states that have implemented deregulation in the last decade are now struggling with its adverse impacts. I am eager to work with FARE and its coalition partners to share with Floridians why deregulation is a dangerous gamble, and one where Floridians will be on the losing end.”

Former State Rep. Robert Asencio shared, “Deregulation allows third party providers to come between ratepayers and the power company and charge whatever they want. It also allows them to engage in market schemes that unfairly target our most vulnerable citizens, particularly our seniors, leading to spikes in costs. Today, Florida consumers pay some of the lowest rates in the country. We cannot allow Florida’s stable energy market to be disrupted by special interests who are only looking out for their bottom line, and not the public interest.”

Jackie Lee shared, “The fact is that deregulation will hinder any efforts to address renewable energy policies in Florida. This is why our coalition is ready to share the facts with Floridians as to how deregulation leads to less renewable energy, not more.”

By the Numbers

In every year since 1997, the average residential customer in regulated states has paid a lower rate for electricity than their counterparts in deregulated states.
In Texas, as of 2014, areas exempt from deregulation, on average, paid lower residential electric rates compared to deregulated areas of the state.
In New York, residential and some small commercial customers overpaid by $817 million between January 2014 and June 2016, and low-income customers overpaid by almost $96,000,000 during the same period, compared to the prices charged by regulated public utility companies.
As of September 2018, residential customers in deregulated electricity states pay 38% more for power than Florida residential customers.

FARE Board Members

Scott Arceneaux

Scott is the former Executive Director of the Florida Democratic and most recently served as the senior advisor for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in Florida and chief strategist for Andrew Gillum’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Based in Jacksonville, Scott is president of Arceneaux Strategies, LLC.

Robert Asencio

A dedicated public servant for over 33 years, Robert Asencio is a retired police captain, a proud veteran and former state representative. As a legislator, Robert fought for working families, students, better healthcare, and the environment. Today, Robert continues to champion causes that ensure his community is safe and protected.

J.B. Clark

J.B. is the legislative affairs Director for the Florida Electrical Workers Assn.(IBEW), Executive Board member of the Florida AFL-CIO and advocate for consumer rights. During his over 30 years experience in electric utility analysis, he served 4 years on the Florida Energy and Climate Commission. His appointments and service includes: Electric Utility Reliability Roundtable, Energy 2020 Study Commission, Workforce Florida Board, Power Plant Siting Study Commission and 2016 Construction Workforce Task Force.

Joe Gibbons

Joe is a former state representative for Hallandale Beach where he served as the Democratic Leader pro tempore from 2010-2012, and past chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators committee on energy, transportation and environment. A small business owner, Joe has been a fierce advocate for Florida’s working families and a champion for small businesses and our most vulnerable Floridians.

Jackie Lee

Jackie Lee is the founding partner of JLee Strategies. She is a seasoned political professional with over a decade of experience in political campaign management, public affairs and issue advocacy at the national, state, and local level. Jackie served as the campaign manager for the 2010 successful Florida Fair Districts campaign and most recently managed and advised the successful passage of the Florida Restorations of Rights Campaign, also known as Amendment 4.

Robin Lockett

Robin Lockett believes that education equals empowerment and her purpose is to empower the community with information. She began with the NAACP as the Political Chair, she was the Regional Director with Fair Districts and Next Gen Climate and she’s currently the President of the Hillsborough County Democratic Black Caucus. She is a Native of Tampa and has solid community roots within the Tampa Bay Area.

Gil Ziffer

Gil is a former Tallahassee city commissioner where he served for nearly a decade. A past president of the Florida League of Cities as well as a serving on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities, Gil has been a strong voice for local communities and a leader against state pre-emption efforts.

FARE is a coalition of progressive organizations and grassroots donors who share a commitment to protect Floridians from large corporations who want to deregulate the Florida energy market so they can make larger profits while sticking consumers with higher electricity rates, and unfairly target vulnerable communities like our seniors. FARE will be working hard to set the record straight on efforts to put forward a proposed constitutional amendment to deregulate Florida’s energy market.