Our Challenge

The availability of affordable energy is an urgent public policy matter, and the growing need for energy assistance far outpaces available assistance funding.

Energy prices have risen such that increasing numbers of low-to-moderate income households are unable to afford their energy bills. Too many households face the choice between paying home energy bills and affording other basic necessities such as prescription drugs, housing, child care or food. The current situation puts a severe strain on energy customers, the agencies that provide assistance and the energy providers. This situation will lead to escalating customer problems, including payment failures and service disconnections. A collaboration of the stake holders - including representatives of the low-to-moderate income customer, government, social service agencies and energy providers - is needed to find better ways to assist those in need. The time is right for a statewide coordinated effort to help low-to-moderate income Floridians secure the energy necessary for core life needs.

Our Mission

The Florida Energy Affordability Coalition (FLEAC) brings together public, private and nonprofit sector organizations seeking to make energy more affordable for low-to-moderate income Floridians experiencing difficulty paying for energy needed to maintain a safe and healthy living environment and facilitates assistance to improve their well-being.

FLEAC Goals

• Understand and assess needs related to energy affordability, security and assistance for low-to-moderate income families
• Expand assistance by seeking immediate and long-term solutions to reduce the energy burden
• Encourage personal responsibility by supporting weatherization, energy conservation and energy education programs that assist households in managing their energy costs
• Develop public and private partnerships in a cooperative approach to maximize, leverage and coordinate resources on behalf of low-to-moderate income Floridians
• Endorse public policies that help increase the energy security of low-to-moderate income Floridians
• Communicate the realities of the energy affordability challenges

Foundational Themes

The Coalition will recommend, endorse and facilitate policies, procedures and actions that support:

• Customers’ health, safety and well-being
• Maximizing available financial and energy conservation assistance
• Quality service to customers seeking assistance
• Educating customers to make informed decisions regarding energy usage and conservation
• Reducing (minimizing) service disconnects
• Those who serve customers (i.e., service providers, case workers, those on the “front line”)
• Awareness regarding other unmet needs of customers.

FLEAC Charter — pdf copy.