Financial Interests and Rate Hikes: Virginia Rep. Rob Wittman’s Connection
Virginia Representative Rob Wittman is facing scrutiny over a potential financial advantage tied to a significant utility rate hike that may deepen financial challenges for many Americans.
According to public financial disclosures, Wittman holds up to $15,000 in stock with NextEra Energy, a leading global electric utility company. This corporation, operating in both the U.S. and Canada, reported a revenue of $24.8 billion last year.
In a recent decision, NextEra Energy approved a plan for its subsidiary, Florida Power & Light (FPL), to increase customer charges by $6.9 billion over four years. As reported by the Florida Phoenix, this represents the largest rate hike in utility history.
Brooke Ward, an organizer with Food & Water Watch, commented, “People are not asking for diamonds or gold. While greedy utilities keep raking in record profits, regular Floridians want to be able to afford running their air conditioners and heaters.”
Wittman attributed rising energy costs to the proliferation of data centers in a statement to Politico. Although data centers do contribute to increased energy demand, experts indicate that profit-driven utility companies, extreme weather, and clean energy investment cuts have primarily driven the cost increases. The Trump administration’s cancellation of $53.05 billion in clean energy projects is also cited as a significant factor.
Senator Tim Kaine emphasized this point, stating, “The U.S. was producing more energy than any country in the world, but on President Trump’s first day in office, he declared an ‘energy emergency’ to cancel clean energy projects across the country, including in Virginia. Now, Americans are paying the price.”
Despite Wittman’s claims, his support for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which accelerated data center construction, raises questions about his stance.
NextEra Energy and its super PAC have financially supported both parties in Congress. However, from 2014 to 2024, over 65% of these donations favored the GOP.
Florida Republican Representatives Laurel Lee, Maria Elvira-Salazar, and Cory Mills, recipients of funds from the NextEra Energy PAC, may face inquiries during their reelection campaigns concerning the FPL rate increase.
Wittman is planning to run for another term in 2026. Recent Virginia elections saw a shift toward Democrats, with affordability and living costs being pivotal issues.
The progressive organization Climate Power reports a 13% increase in electric bills since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, with further price hikes anticipated.
Jesse Lee, a Climate Power adviser, remarked, “The truth is, Trump and Republicans are making life more expensive by taking energy options off the grid while demand skyrockets. We’re going to make sure that every Republican who rubber-stamps Trump’s anti-energy agenda pays the political price in 2026.”
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