Overview
- A coalition of grassroots groups launched the Public Power St. Pete petition Wednesday to collect about 16,200 signatures needed to place a charter amendment on the 2028 ballot.
- Duke Energy this week released a Concentric Energy Advisors report that estimated buying the local distribution system could cost roughly $2.7 billion to $4.1 billion and warned a takeover would be unaffordable for the city.
- City leaders approved a $590,000 feasibility study in June to examine creating a municipal utility and expect the study’s findings in 2027 while current service terms were extended after the franchise expired at the end of July.
- Supporters point to independent studies, including work cited in nearby Clearwater, that projected customer bills could run roughly 7–20% lower under municipal ownership and propose a five‑member board with three elected seats to increase local accountability.
- If the petition reaches the ballot, voters would weigh possible long‑term savings against large upfront acquisition costs, years needed to separate systems, and the loss of roughly $20 million a year in franchise fees that have funded city services.