As the holidays approach, Jacksonville residents are voicing frustration over rising utility costs and a power grid that struggles to keep up with demand. According to a new survey by the RenewJax Campaign, 73% of residents say their energy bills have increased over the past year, with many worried about further hikes in the months ahead.
The survey highlights overwhelming public support for renewable energy investments, with 97% of respondents agreeing Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) should adopt a greater emphasis on clean energy solutions to achieve at least one critical goal: lowering utility bills, improving grid resilience, or reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Affordability and reliability emerged as top priorities across political affiliations and age groups.
“Residents are tired of high bills and want real solutions,” said Logan Cross, lead of the RenewJax campaign. “Clean energy isn’t just good for the environment — it’s the path to affordable, reliable, and resilient energy for our community.”
Key findings from the survey include:
- 57% of residents support increased renewable energy investments.
- 69% believe JEA should lower utility bills through clean energy.
- 92% back efforts to build a more resilient grid capable of withstanding storms and outages.
RenewJax is advocating for JEA to shift its focus from costly fossil fuel projects, like a proposed $1 billion natural gas plant and the continued operation of an outdated coal plant, to a clean energy future. The campaign has set an ambitious goal for Jacksonville: operate on 100% renewable energy by 2050.
“Investing in clean energy not only lowers costs but also creates local jobs and shields us from unpredictable fuel prices,” added Jyoti Parmar, co-lead of RenewJax. “Residents are ready to embrace affordable, sustainable solutions.”
