Partially reprinted from Sarasota Herald Tribune
By Robert Eckhart
“Our opportunity is now,” said City Commissioner Dick Clapp. “If we don’t take the opportunity, I don’t know when we’ll get another chance.”
SARASOTA – “Power to the People!” was the title of one congratulatory e-mail sent to City Hall as commissioners haggle with utilities giant Florida Power & Light.
Sarasota, which collects about $5 million a year in franchise fees from FPL, is the latest in a series of local governments trying to wring more concessions out of the power company amid contract talks.
Commissioners want a five-year extension — FPL has never agreed to less than 30 years — and other conditions that would encourage start-up alternative energy companies.
These are the same concessions that have been requested by local governments elsewhere in Florida, and FPL has not granted them anywhere yet.
But supporters of alternative energy are rooting commissioners on as the negotiations get serious here. And Mayor Kelly Kirschner has already suggested publicly that the city could start its own electric utility, if FPL will not make a deal.
“We’d like to think they would use a community like ours to perhaps pilot some of these opportunities,” Kirschner said Friday.
FPL is demurring, but did not officially respond to the city’s requests as the 30-year franchise agreement expired on May 28.
The company has pointed out its service is more reliable than the national average, and the typical residential bill is the lowest of the 55 electric utilities in Florida.
Commissioners say they want more public discussion of the deal, and called for a special energy meeting Wednesday with guest speakers from Winter Park, one of 34 Florida cities with taxpayer-owned electric utilities.
To continue reading, click Sarasota Herald Tribune.
“The difference is that Sarasota has a more motivated citizenry and set of city commissioners who are really committed to getting the best possible deal for the citizens of Sarasota for the next 30, 40 or 50 years,” Wright said.
