Dump Duke: Petition for Public Power

Mayor and City Council

The Issue: Private Monopoly

  • Affordability: Duke Energy is massively overcharging us. We pay some of the highest rates in all of Florida, more than $40 higher per month than cities with public power.

  • Durability & Services: Duke has not invested in reliable infrastructure to withstand the impacts of climate change, resulting in extended outages. Duke Energy provides unreliable service in comparison to similar entities throughout the state.

  • Bailout: Duke Energy is seeking a bailout of public funds to shore up its revenue, despite being a private entity that accepts the risks of doing business. The increase was filed at the end of December, the FL PSC approved the rate hikes for Duke Energy and TECO on February 5th, 2025.

  • Monopoly: Duke Energy is a private monopoly that residents have no say in managing and no democratic accountability.

The Solution: Public Utility

  • Saves You Money: Public power would save residents’ money and reinvest the profits back into our community, rather than going to shareholders. While Duke successfully petitioned to raise its rates by $32-40/month, the Lakeland City Commission voted to lower its fuel charge for its customers (source).

  • Improved Services: A public utility will be dedicated to providing services for residents, rather than enriching Wall Street shareholders. This can include better response times.

  • Green Energy: A public utility can invest in more sustainable forms of energy like solar, helping the city to actually meet its Clean Energy goals. Example: JEA Integrated Resource Plan - energy efficiency goals aim to reduce JEA's overall emissions since 2005 by 80 percent.  

  • Accountability: A public utility would be more transparent and accountable to our community. Examples: Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Fort Pierce, etc., hold their board meetings publicly, and community members are able to attend and speak.

Call to Action/Demands of Council: We call on city officials to

  • Commission and fund a feasibility study to examine costs, viability, and renewable energy alternatives for our power supply.

  • Begin negotiations with Duke Energy to buy out our fixed capital, and to ‘stop the clock’ on our current agreement when it expires.

Sponsored by
Profile_picture_circle
Dump Duke FL

To: Mayor and City Council
From: [Your Name]

Duke Energy is charging us some of the highest rates for electricity in the state. We, the undersigned, call on the Mayor and City Council to cut ties with Duke Energy and create a public power utility.

We are urging city officials to:

1.) Commission and fund a feasibility study to examine costs, viability, and renewable energy alternatives for our power supply.

2.) Begin negotiations with Duke Energy to buy out our fixed capital, and to ‘stop the clock’ on our current agreement.