evidence: In recent years, Floridians experienced a dramatic spike in energy costs, according to a Tampa Bay Times analysis of data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Two years ago, energy prices in the state jumped about 17% and kept rising, contributing to a surge in cost-of-living expenses in the region made worse by higher inflation. Those who feel the effects most deeply were already struggling. [...] "It is alarming to just see these prices keep rising markedly the last couple of years," she said. "It’s like an apocalypse." [...] "Primarily in the last two years, (the increase) really has been around the cost of natural gas, which was nearly three times more than it historically had been," said Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida, at a March news conference. The company was announcing a utility assistance program administered by St. Petersburg. "Our customers felt that directly. There are absolutely ways that we were trying to offset those, including continued investments in solar, which then helps to decrease the utilization of certain fuel sources. … We’ll continue to have 100% commitment to reducing those costs."