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St. Pete Beach will stick with Fla. PowerBy AMY WIMMER © St. Petersburg Times, published November 12, 2000 ST. PETE BEACH -- The city will not abandon Florida Power in order to create its own municipally run electric service -- at least not for a few years, if at all. Several of Florida Power's agreements with Pinellas County municipalities will expire over the next couple years. That has prompted some cities and towns to consider forming their own municipal electric companies. The town of Belleair moved forward with a study and, ultimately, a lawsuit to pursue its right to set up a municipal electric company. But St. Pete Beach isn't ready for such a bold move, commissioners said. "There have been proposals in the community urging the city to look at municipalization," said City Manager Carl Schwing, citing the July 2001 expiration of the current agreement. "I think even the people who favor municipalization know we do not have the time to consider municipalization." Florida Power put a contract on the table for the city to consider, but it falls short of the city's goals in several ways, including how long the city must commit to the agreement and whether St. Pete Beach can purchase Florida Power's infrastructure once the agreement expires. The power company is urging St. Pete Beach to sign another 30-year agreement. Commissioners would prefer five or 10 years. The expiring contract includes a clause that allows cities to purchase Florida Power's power lines and other infrastructure once the agreement expires, but Florida Power no longer allows such language in its contracts. The Florida League of Cities worked with the power company for six months to negotiate a sample contract that Florida cities could use if they chose. Those talks broke down, however, over the issue of letting cities buy Florida Power's infrastructure. "Whatever kind of negotiations we have, I'm sure it will be a difficult negotiation," City Attorney Jim Devito said. City Commissioner Rachel Crepeau said she wants the city to have flexibility in its contract because the supply of electricity is such a changing field. Also, Commissioner Jim Myers said he hopes to include a plan for underground utilities along Gulf Boulevard in the city's franchise agreement with Florida Power. "I didn't see the word "underground' in here anywhere," said Myers, referring to the contract.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
