MEU feasibility study

Argued no one would sign a multi-decade, multi-billion-dollar contract without investigating alternatives; a study also adds negotiating leverage.

Tenants Union organizer cited Duke's corporate bankrolling of business leagues and a mother denied partial payment in summer heat; urged the study.

Said a city-owned utility could save profits for residents and noted only Duke employees speak well of Duke.

Said refusing to even examine alternatives denies transparency and diligence; even suggested Duke fund the study from its $5B profit.

Said a yes vote prevents the city from entering 30 more years blind and provides negotiating leverage.

Criticized Duke's media blitz and its influence on Florida TaxWatch, saying she won't drop the issue regardless of the vote.

Tallahassee-raised lifelong Floridian said public power is the norm elsewhere and urged the council to fund the study.

Rural electric co-op planning engineer said the study is less than 1% of the franchise's value and urged funding with scope changes if needed.

Said Duke's monopoly is un-American and a public utility gives residents democratic accountability; urged a yes vote.

Southside resident said the city has zero authority over decaying poles and urged equity in grid maintenance via public power.

SPC professor from Brighton Bay said she's terrified of Duke-serving AI data centers harming the ecosystem; urged a yes vote.

Described choosing between her power bill and groceries, hanging wires and safety concerns; urged the study.

IBEW System Council U-8 business manager urged a no vote, warning municipalization creates uncertainty for reliability and the skilled workforce.

Argued it's un-American for one company to hold a monopoly over electricity and urged a vote for the people.

Aging-services consultant said fixed-income seniors need relief now, not a study, and cited Duke's senior-support programs.

Duke engineering manager detailed $500 million in planned grid investment, 3,000 pole replacements and self-healing grid results.

Electric Marina owner said her and her neighbor's electric bills have doubled and implored council to do the study.

District 4 resident said he moved to St. Pete for its community and urged a yes vote to explore options.

Bakery owner urged the study, noting it costs about $5 per household, and strongly opposed data centers near Gandy.

Said the city can't hit its 100% renewable goals with Duke's 80% fossil fuel mix; cited Winter Park's 30% savings.

Navy vet and small business owner listed cities with municipal utilities and urged a facts-based yes vote.

Said Duke customers pay $40 more monthly than public power cities and cited fossil-fuel-driven climate impacts.

Sierra Club representative cited the group's 'Duke Energy Pollute to Profit' report and asked for approval of item F.2.

Former Duke employee criticized two-tier contractor employment and offshoring; urged the study.

Described going over two weeks without power during Hurricane Milton while bills rose, and urged the study.

Energy data professional said Duke charges the state's highest rates and outpaces inflation while municipal rates stay flat.

16-year-old said his generation will live with the consequences and urged council to approve the study.

Commercial plumber said he left work unpaid to attend, citing Duke charging customers for grid upgrades and 30-year contract concerns.

Ethics professor compared the study to a home inspection before a 30-year mortgage and urged a yes vote.

First-time speaker said ordinary friends are discussing their power bills and Duke's $4.9 billion profit, calling the study a layup.

Supported the study, citing an unresolved downed Duke power line since 2024 and data center concerns.

Said removing Duke's ~10.3% guaranteed profit margin could fund infrastructure and lower bills; urged approval.

Air Force veteran and Dump Duke canvasser urged the council to do its due diligence.

23-year-old said Duke fails on renewables data and hurricane protection and urged exploring alternatives.

Said the vote is about due diligence in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not a final decision.

29-year-old lifelong resident said the study equips council with knowledge needed for the Duke negotiation.

Criticized Duke negotiating rates in Tallahassee and an appointed PSC; urged support for the study.

Lifelong resident opposed the study, citing the cost of building a utility, staff hiring and disaster-support capabilities.

Young professional described her Duke bills running double her Jacksonville (public power) bills and urged a yes vote.

Argued Duke's lobbying fights the study because it fears the results; urged funding it.

League of Women Voters member with chronic lung disease on fixed income said high rates and outages are untenable and urged yes.

Chamber CEO returned to urge 'relief now' via direct negotiation with Duke rather than a study, citing Florida TaxWatch concerns.

Lifelong resident opposed the study, citing the city's struggles running its own water utility and storm repair capacity concerns.

Argued public utilities cost less and harden infrastructure better; urged greenlighting the study.

Downtown Partnership CEO said $600,000 is hard to justify amid budget cuts; suggested using Clearwater's study and negotiating with Duke instead.

Duke energy efficiency manager cited thousands of free home energy checks, rebates and three rate reductions totaling about 25% this year.

Lifelong resident urged funding the feasibility study to 'dump Duke Energy,' speaking for her son, grandchildren and neighbors.

Called municipal power a moral pursuit and urged council to keep pushing even if savings take years.

Property owner urged approval of the NewGen study, saying municipalization removes the profit motive and Duke ranks near last on efficiency.

Said Duke is a monopoly charging the highest rates in Florida history and urged council to fund the study.

USF student said affordability is her generation's biggest challenge and urged supporting the study as due diligence.

Cited Duke's unannounced tree trimming, property damage and poor service, and urged the study plus reining in new construction.

Said residents are tired of paying a for-profit monopoly for a basic necessity and urged the study's passage.

Lifelong resident described losing a $150 deposit to Duke and friends paying $500-$800 monthly bills; urged the study.

Described Duke lines encroaching on her property, disturbed wildflower habitat and sinking sidewalk, urging accountability and options.

Duke Energy storm director described the utility's nationally recognized hurricane response and mobilization of 26,000 workers in 2024.

IBEW Local 682 business manager urged a no vote, saying the study creates uncertainty for the skilled local line-worker workforce.

Duke Energy representative cited $2.8 million in local giving, retiree volunteering and the Share the Light Fund.