ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. \u2013 St. Petersburg leaders could take the first step toward creating a city-run electric utility.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the St. Petersburg City Council is expected to vote on whether to spend up to $590,000 on a feasibility study examining what it would take for the city to establish its own municipal electric utility and potentially separate from Duke Energy.<\/p>\n
Supporters of the proposal said growing frustration over rising electric bills has fueled interest in exploring alternatives.<\/p>\n
Advocates with the local \u201cDump Duke\u201d movement argue electricity is an essential service that should not be operated for profit.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople that I talk to every day are struggling to pay their bills,\u201d organizer Marley Price said. \u201cKnowing that 10 percent of that is going to profit, that\u2019s going to shareholders, it\u2019s so frustrating to see that.\u201d<\/p>\n
If approved, the study would evaluate the financial, legal, and operational challenges of creating a city-owned utility system. The study would not commit the city to taking over electric service but would provide information for future decisions.<\/p>\n
Not everyone is convinced the idea is worth pursuing. Florida TaxWatch is urging caution, warning that utility acquisitions can be significantly more expensive and time-consuming than initial studies suggest, potentially creating financial risks for taxpayers.<\/p>\n
Still, supporters point to a recent study in Clearwater that projected potential savings for customers if the city were to operate its own electric utility.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe feel like with the report we just got, that shows that there could be immediate savings,\u201d Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector said. \u201cWe have to take a hard look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The St. Petersburg City Council meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, where council members are expected to debate and vote on the proposal.<\/p>\n
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