St. Petersburg to study breaking from Duke Energy and running its own power grid – Spectrum Bay News 9

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Pete city leaders voted to explore their options on becoming the next city to drop a big power company and operate it themselves.
Right now, Duke Energy serves the area, but if city leaders have their way, there will be more options on the table.
For several hours, residents, Duke Energy employees and everyone else who wanted to speak about a feasibility study gave public comment.
St. Pete City Councilman Richie Floyd first raised the issue with Duke Energy because of their rates.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. It’s been 30 years. I was a small child last time this was decided,” Floyd said. “We pay the highest energy rates in the state to Duke Energy, and this is our only opportunity to look elsewhere and see if something else might be right for us.”
The study will tell the city whether it’s practical for the city of St. Pete to take a power grid under its own control. One council member pointed out that they already control their water.
“People come in all the time talking about their water bill. I don’t see us being any different with an electric bill,” said St. Pete City Councilwoman Gina Driscoll.
Some board members say they already know the answer the report may provide, and they don’t need a study with a maximum price tag of $590,000 to tell them.
“What problem are we trying to solve? High bills. Let’s solve that. But I believe there is a different way we can do it, so I won’t be supporting this today,” Driscoll said.
Councilwoman Deborah Figgs-Sanders said this is about providing vital information to the people.
“Having information and being knowledgeable and understanding what it may or may not take in order to provide that service, even if that’s even an option at all, having that additional information is definitely going to arm the city with negotiating tools that will be best for our constituents,” she said.
Duke Energy released this statement saying, “Duke Energy believes renewing the franchise agreement offers immediate benefits to our customers and communities we serve. We remain committed to providing safe, reliable power and look forward to working with the city of St. Petersburg to renew our franchise agreement.”
City officials said the study is expected to take less than a year to complete.

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