ARTICLE
The Lakeland City Commission voted today to increase the fuel charge for Lakeland Electric customers, effective January 1, 2026. The adjustment raises the fuel charge by $3.50, from $43.50 to $47.00 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), in response to rising natural gas prices driven by global market conditions. The fuel charge will change to 4.7¢ kWh. For a residential customer using 1,000 kWh, the fuel cost equals $47.00. This increase reflects the utility’s commitment to maintaining financial stability amid fluctuating fuel costs. Lakeland Electric continues to offer some of the lowest electric rates in the state. As with most electric utilities that generate their own power, fuel is passed directly to customers with no markup, making the fuel charge an important part of managing customers’ overall electric costs. Residential Rates Based on 1,000 kWh Current? Rates – Effective January 2026 Base Charge* (see below for a breakdown of charges) $70.06 $70.06 Fuel Charge????????????? $43.50 $47.00 TOTAL: $113.56 $117.06 ?*Base Charge Current Rates – Effective January 2026 Customer Charge??? $14.45/month $14.45/month Energy & Smart Grid Charges?? $53.75/1000 kWh $53.75/1000 kWh Environmental Charge ???? $?1.85/1000 kWh??? $?1.85/1000 kWh??? ?? Slide of utility rate comparison from Sandra Ruede’s Utility Committee presentation on November 16, 2025.
The Lakeland City Commission voted today to increase the fuel charge for Lakeland Electric customers, effective January 1, 2026. The adjustment raises the fuel charge by $3.50, from $43.50 to $47.00 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), in response to rising natural gas prices driven by global market conditions.
The fuel charge will change to 4.7¢ kWh. For a residential customer using 1,000 kWh, the fuel cost equals $47.00.
This increase reflects the utility’s commitment to maintaining financial stability amid fluctuating fuel costs. Lakeland Electric continues to offer some of the lowest electric rates in the state. As with most electric utilities that generate their own power, fuel is passed directly to customers with no markup, making the fuel charge an important part of managing customers’ overall electric costs.
Residential Rates Based on 1,000 kWh
Current?
Rates – Effective January 2026
Base Charge* (see below for a breakdown of charges)
$70.06
Fuel Charge?????????????
$43.50
$47.00
TOTAL:
$113.56
$117.06
?*Base Charge
Current
Customer Charge???
$14.45/month
Energy & Smart Grid Charges??
$53.75/1000 kWh
Environmental Charge ????
$?1.85/1000 kWh???
??
Slide of utility rate comparison from Sandra Ruede’s Utility Committee presentation on November 16, 2025.