Clearwater officials wanted to provide public utilities to its residents in a bid to alleviate high energy costs coming from the private sector.
However, Clearwater appears poised to extend Duke Energy Florida’s role for another 30 years, despite the ongoing complaints about rising electric bills and storm-related reliability.
By unanimous vote, the council advanced an agreement that disappointed some residents who wanted Clearwater to keep pursuing a publicly owned utility.
What happened?
After conducting a feasibility study and appraisal of the costs associated with a public utility, Council members approved an ordinance for a new franchise agreement and memorandum agreement with Duke Energy Florida. The move puts Clearwater closer to another three-decade arrangement with the investor-owned utility…