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Emily L. Mahoney - Energy Reporter
Emily L. Mahoney

Energy Reporter

My job is to cover energy — which may sound like an abstract topic, but is something that impacts your life all the time. To keep our lights on, we all depend on private companies and government leaders to make complex decisions that determine how much we pay and how the environment is impacted. I'm interested in digging into which neighborhoods bear the brunt of those decisions, plus how they contribute to — or are influenced by — climate change. I was previously the senior political writer as well as a reporter in our Tallahassee bureau, so I'm well-acquainted with the world of influence. I'm originally from Arizona, a state that instilled in me a love of hiking and tacos al pastor. Have a tip or story idea? Drop me a line.

  1. Federal officials end investigation into deadly Florida contractor
    • Investigations
    A worker with Archer Western Construction and Traylor Bros. Inc. labors on the new Howard Frankland Bridge on March 24, 2025 in Tampa. After more than two years, the federal government is ending its investigation into Archer Western, officials said.
  2. Man who hit, killed Pinellas deputy gets additional 2 years in prison
    • Crime
    Juan Molina-Salles, center, shares a letter of apology before Pinellas-Pasco Judge Pat Siracusa on March 4 during his state sentencing hearing. A federal judge sentenced him to an additional 25 months in prison on Tuesday.
  3. DeSantis names sponsor of bill striking ‘climate change’ from Florida law to utility board
    • Environment
    A worker takes a water break on July 23, 2024, under Duke Energy transmission lines in New Port Richey. Gov. Ron DeSantis nominated former state lawmaker Bobby Payne to the state board that regulates utilities like Duke.
  5. As Florida offshore drilling looms, birds less protected from spills under Trump
    • Environment
    Workers clean a brown pelican at a rescue center set up by the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Buras, La., in 2010. The birds were covered in oil from the Deepwater Horizon accident.
  6. Why Tampa Bay electric bills were so high in 2025
    • News
    Rayne DeJesus, a local activist and rap artist, center, holds up a sign regarding high energy bills, while he chants with other protesters during the Burn the Bill rally at the Dr. Walter L. Smith Library on Nov. 1 in Tampa.
  7. Here’s what people across Tampa Bay are paying for electricity
    • Environment
    This is a composite of several people the Tampa Bay Times spoke to about their electric bills, which many said were higher than ever this summer.
  8. Scrapped Florida state parks plans came ‘directly’ from DeSantis’ office, suit says
    • Environment
    Michelle Birnbaum, 59, left, and Kathie Nutter, 67, right, both of Dunedin, were shown holding signs and waving to drivers at the entrance to Honeymoon Island State Park during a rally in August 2024 after plans to put golf courses, pickleball courts and other amenities on state park land were reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
  9. Florida consumer advocate slams FPL’s ‘unconscionable’ rate hike deal
    • Business
    Florida Power & Light is requesting an historic rate hike of about $7 billion, which would yield a rate of shareholder profit of 10.95%.
  10. Florida politicians call for action after Times report on deadly road contractor
    • Investigations
    A green flag with the company logo for Archer Western Construction hangs from a crane near another flag for the Florida Department of Transportation, next to the new lanes of the new Howard Frankland Bridge on March 24, 2025. A Tampa Bay Times investigation about Archer Western has prompted Florida politicians to call for state officials to hold the company accountable.
  11. Lobbyist wrote proposal directing Florida to buy pricey 4 acres in Destin
    • Environment
    The 4-acre plot of land, owned by a campaign donor's two companies, sits on a sandy peninsula in Destin at the center of this image. Aerial satellite imagery shows the parcel is located in an area with heavy coastal development, and conservationists have raised concerns about the land's overall conservation value.
  12. Undocumented workers built Florida’s roads — and died in the process
    • News
    Orignal Image.
  13. Undocumented workers built Florida’s roads — and died in the process
    • Investigations
    Original design.
  14. Will data centers drive up Florida electric bills? This case could decide.
    • Business
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  15. CEO of FPL defends company seeking highest shareholder profit in nation
    • Business
    Florida Power & Light President and Chief Executive Officer Armando Pimentel answers questions on the witness stand from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler, pictured in the upper left corner, during a hearing before the Florida Public Service Commission in Tallahassee on Monday.
  16. DeSantis, top Florida officials vote to buy 4 acres for $83M, despite concerns
    • Environment
    The landowners selling this property are Pointe Mezzanine LLC and Pointe Resort LLC, both of which are registered in state corporate filings to Robert Guidry, a Louisiana business owner. Guidry is a prominent donor to state politicians and local officials in the Panhandle county where his property is located. Top Florida officials voted Tuesday to buy the four acres of land for $83 million.
  17. How much would it cost Clearwater to leave Duke Energy? City works toward answer
    • Clearwater
    “The study before us shows something remarkable,” said Clearwater City Council member Ryan Cotton about the idea of the city leaving Duke Energy. “We have an opportunity to do good things every day, to do great things now and then, but this is one of those rare opportunities to do something monumental.”
  18. Florida wants to buy 4 acres in the Panhandle. The price tag? $83M
    • Environment
    Florida's top leaders will vote Tuesday to purchase these 4 acres of land in Okaloosa County for more than $84 million. One side of the Destin property is a city park, and the other side is an upscale condominium complex, according to property records.
  19. Clearwater study says leaving Duke could drop residents’ electric bills
    • Business
    Vehicles are parked under Duke Energy’s high-voltage transmission lines on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in a designated parking area at Starkey Market in New Port Richey.
  20. Florida nuclear weapons workers got sick. Now they’re waiting on Trump.
    • Business
    Daisy Beal displays a photograph taken in the 1980s of Tasker Beal, her late husband, at the General Electric Pinellas Plant in Largo, where they worked together. Tasker Beal, a senior physicist at the plant, died of kidney cancer nine years ago. Daisy Beal also has fought cancer. Staff handled or worked near dangerous materials, including plutonium, uranium, radioactive cobalt and a carcinogenic metal called beryllium. That’s according to a 75-page petition for medical compensation, which draws from plant records and medical tests.
  21. Chassahowitzka River campground will likely stay in public hands
    • Environment
    Visitors enjoy spending time doing water recreation sports in the 7 Sisters Springs at the Chassahowitzka River Campground on Aug. 20 in Homosassa.
  22. Gotten a high summer electric bill in Tampa Bay? We want to hear from you
    • Environment
    Tampa resident Krystal Pate looks at her electric bill in April 2024. If you've received a high bill this summer, share your story with the Tampa Bay Times' Environment Hub reporters.
  23. Dozens backed FPL’s $10B rate hike. But many get money from the utility.
    • Business
    A natural gas burning facility can be seen at Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station in January in Homestead, Florida. As part of the company's rate case this year, dozens of people showed up to testify positively for the company. Many were from organizations receive support from Florida Power & Light.
  24. Florida consumer advocates propose new FPL deal to halve rate hikes
    • Business
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