BOHICA!!! Cape Coral getting into the electric utility business (Fort Myers: lease, how much)

[Compression]

The same city government that brought you questionable water and sewer utilities, are considering taking over your electric from LCEC. Already saying your rates will likely go up.

Think this could have impacts beyond just what you pay for electric in the future?

CN.......

[NoSnow4me]

What's questionable about the water and sewer utilities? I'm new here, and in the nw where we don't have them yet, so I'm curious what you mean.

[Restrain]

Having seen this happen, the city or a Municipal Service unit would have to condemn and acquire the existing system, then buy the electric power from FPL, etc. Alternately, work out a deal where everything remains in place but the city actually enters into a lease agreement for all physical equipment (lines, poles, sub-stations), buy the electricity and resell it to the customers.

First plan front loads debt (hundreds of millions-these things are not cheap), plus putting the city on the hook for hiring a company or hiring employees and buying equipment to maintain the lines, read the meters, etc. Second plan entails less upfront debt, but inflates the costs to the consumer as you have to pay for both the wholesale rate for electricity and pay the city service charge.

The reasoning is that they want more control over such things as underground lines. As someone who won't be affected, but who has worked on such things, it seems that amending the franchise agreement is the simplest and least expensive approach.

[Compression]

Originally Posted by Restrain

The reasoning is that they want more control over such things as underground lines. As someone who won't be affected, but who has worked on such things, it seems that amending the franchise agreement is the simplest and least expensive approach.

Yep, and lets just say the good 'ol boys, er, city council has.......a history.

In the Cape, it's about the $$$, and how much sticks to somebody's fingers, on it's way to someplace else.

CN.......

[Taratova]

I heard about that.. the city of Cape Coral wants to take over LCEC.. plus from the same source, I was told that Cape Coral is going to buy parts of North Fort Myers... what??????????????????

[akimaheco2015]

Whatever the reasons given by Cape Coral to run its own electricity ...... are superficial. The bottom line is they have their sight on controlling a future income generating source via something that the residents must have (electricity). Just look at the cost of water, fire assessments, property taxes, etc fees. ...... Hope the city is just using the issue as a negotiating tactic and at least know where they are competent and not competent and where they can be cost effective or not.

[rikoshaprl]

City Council

Here are the emails of the City Council. Write them and let them know how you feel about them taking over the electric utility. I think it is terrible idea!

[BugManTPC]

I will say the do a marvelous job maintaining the roads...dripping sarcasm.

If only more people would get active and not just complain.