ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The city of St. Peterburg’s deal with electrical utility company Duke Energy expires at midnight Friday evening.
No power is expected to be shut off.
Still, Duke officials said no negotiations to renew their 30-year agreement are scheduled and no talks appear imminent.
In fact, St. Pete leaders have floated the idea of dropping Duke as its power carrier. Clearwater had similar talks but ultimately dropped the idea and signed a new agreement with the utility company.
On Friday, city public information officer Samantha Bequer said: “The City of St. Petersburg and Duke Energy franchise agreement remains in place and there will not be an interruption in service. At this time, the City of St. Petersburg is simultaneously moving forward with the City Council requested municipal electric utility feasibility study. Regardless, Duke will continue to provide service to the City of St. Petersburg while we continue to move through the feasibility study process.”
Meanwhile, Duke Energy released a statement that said: “Duke Energy is exploring the implications the franchise agreement expiration will have on the city and our company, while continuing our commitment to provide reliable service to our customers.”
Spectrum News Staff
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