Energy Town Hall for Sarasota - Save the Date!

Energy Town Hall for Sarasota

WSLR, Sarasota Power and Transition Sarasota are co-hosting a town hall that will specifically cover the FPL franchise agreement.

It will be an informal forum for the public to ask questions of a panel of experts regarding the issue of how we get our electricity and what the options will be for the city of Sarasota to signing another 30 year agreement with FPL.

This is an extension to the one held by the city commissioners at city hall in June.  We want to build on that platform and allow the public more interaction and open the floor for more discussion.  It is our intention to allow the public to take lead in this issue and help educate everyone in all of the options.

When: August 17^th, 2010

Where: The Sanctuary at First Congregational – Bahia Vista and Euclid, Sarasota Fl

Time: 7pm – 9pm
If you have any questions or would like to make suggestions as to who should appear on the panel, please feel free to contact me here: Sarasota Power

Campaign Kick-Off Party for Nancy Feehan - Candidate for House District 70

 

Campaign Kick-Off Party

 

 

 

You are cordially invited to attend the Campaign Kick Off Party for

Nancy Feehan

for Florida House District 70

July 28th, 2010

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

We will be celebrating at Bentley’s Resort Hotel!!

Bentley’s Resort Hotel, Osprey Florida 

1660 S. Tamiami Trail
Osprey, FL 34229

(Light Bites & Cash Bar)

Suggested donation is $30.00. Contributions are limited to $500 per person or corporate entity.

Please make checks payable to “Nancy Feehan for House District 70.”
To contribute online, click here or mail your donation to P.O. Box 111, Osprey,
Florida 34229

To RSVP, please contact Nancy’s Campaign office at 941-244-2266 or email
Susan@NancyFeehan.com

     

Special session to ban drilling is in serious trouble

"Looks like the Governor's special session to ban drilling is in serious trouble.  One of the most important things you can do today is to place calls into Rep. Dean Cannon (850) 488-2742 and Sen. Jeff Atwater (850) 487-5100 and tell them that enough is enough.  People, economies and wildlife in the Gulf are suffering and they must not pass up this historic opportunity to ban offshore drilling in state waters forever." - Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

Let the sunshine out: City Commissioners wish for a better way to plan the FPL negotiations

Reprinted from Creative Loafing

July 12th, 2010 by Brian Ries in News, Politics 

At the end of last week's Sarasota City Commission meeting, an offhanded comment by Commissioner Terry Turner illustrated some of the problems with the city’s ongoing negotiations with FPL over how electricity will flow to businesses and residents. The real question appears to be: How's the power flowing in the negotiations?

Commissioners have a few minutes at the end of the meetings to talk about whatever they like, and Turner decided to repeat something he had heard from FPL representative Rae Dowling questioning who was in charge of the negotiations. “She said something that was troubling to me,” said Turner, “she thinks Mr. Wright is in charge of negotiations for the city.” Turner confirmed with Schef Wright — the attorney hired by the city to assist in the negotiations — that he wasn’t negotiating, but “the fact of the matter is that we have some ambiguity in the minds of FPL and some of the public.” Commissioner Susan Atwell had heard similar things from FPL representative Nick Gladding.

Get past the point that Gladding was recently appointed by Governor Crist to the Florida Energy and Climate Commission, seemingly in conflict with being paid to assist FPL in these negotiations, the real meat of the issue came next when Mayor Kelly Kirschner asked if the commissioners could hold a meeting about the negotiations outside of public view. City Attorney Robert Fournier said that would not be possible because of Florida’s Sunshine Laws. Trying to skirt pass Sunshine Laws might seem both a little nefarious and somewhat dangerous — considering the recent spate of lawsuits against local governments — but all of the commissioners seemed to support Mayor Kirschner’s attempt.

“It puts us at a disadvantage that FPL can go in one on one with commissioners, but we commissioners cant strategize and discuss as well,” explained Kirschner at the meeting, while Turner said “this is a particularly awkward time to be in that position.”

Later, I asked Kirschner why he wanted to skirt the Sunshine Laws in this case. “If you look at the communities that have tried to negotiate with FPL, they start off strong but a bunch of stuff takes place in the background,” he explained. “FPL finds weak points.” For him, it’s common sense that being able to have a discussion with his fellow commissioners about the City’s goals and tactics would be helpful, but only if FPL wasn’t able to listen in. As Turner said: “If you’re in negotiation with someone and they know everything you’re thinking and your complete strategy it gives them an advantage.”

Beyond that, a non-public meeting would allow the commission to present a unified front. “FPL’s meeting with everyone one on one and I think that is slowly biting and nipping at what would otherwise be a significant unanimous agreement on what we need to pursue,” Kirschner says. Case in point: Turner’s comment about public perception of who’s in charge of the negotiations.

I asked Turner if he suspected that FPL’s Rae Dowling was purposely fomenting trouble when she claimed not to know who was in charge of the negotiations — after all, the utility has a lot of experience dealing with negotiations like this and surely knows who has the final say. “I take people at their word,” said Turner.

Creative Loafing - Sarasota 

Should the Sarasota City Commision close out the public from franchise talks?

The Sarasota City Commission is asking the city attorney to find a way for them to meet in private to discuss the FPL franchise agreement.  I took issue with that the other day.  Here is a further explanation as to why:

We all realize the beauty of being able to speak freely in a closed room without an audience.  It gives us the chance to be able to speak out loud without great penalty and then formulate our message without creating more damage then doing good.  It also gives us the ability to lay our cards on the table and still have the ability to take them back when necessary.  It is also the fastest way to get things settled. These reasons are all understandable in the realm of negotations..at least if the playing field was leveled.

The problem the commission has with a workshop being opened to the public is that, along with the public, FPL will also have access.  So the last thing that any of them want to do is strategize on behalf of the city and have FPL taking notes.

My problem with the closed workshop now is that this should have been done prior to their first public meeting.  My concern is that even though it would be a closed workshop, FPL will still be in that room. 

As it stands now, FPL is allowed to have personal,  one-on-one, meetings with each commissioner.  The information that they gain from one commissioner is used to formulate the next discussion...giving FPL full advantage over each commissioner.  Now, the only thing each commissioner has to go on is what FPL is telling them. FPL definitely has the advantage.  However, now, when the commissioners enter into that closed meeting they are already influenced by their discussions with FPL.  Meanwhile, the public is left out in the dark. 

For me, the commissioners have not spent enough time with the public in order for the public to have a position in that room.  They are the civil servants whose obligation is to represent us.  But how can they truly represent us when so little time has spent with us?  90 people were in the room at the first and possibly only town hall last month.  Out of the 90 - were officials from FPL, people who were invited by FPL, officials from the Municipal Utility industry, solar business owners, reporters, and so on.  Only approximately half of the audience was made up of the public.  And then only a portion of that number spoke to the commission.  It did not help that the town hall was held in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week. 

Is the public really served in these proceedings?  The purpose of the town halls was to educate the public so they can not only make an informed decision, but also be confident enough to be able to communicate their wishes.  The purpose of the second town hall was to further explore the additional alternatives to the FPL franchise agreement.  With commissioners questioning the merit of a second town hall leaves me to believe that they have already formed their answers and now they just want to expedite the process.

FPL should have been prevented to have any private discussions with the commissioners.  They definitely have the upper hand.  I would go further to say that the activities of FPL and their talks with each comissioner should also be of public record.  That way not only would be public continue to be educated on the negotiations, but so would the other comissioners.

If any issue should be taken with the proceeedings, it should be that it is not held in the proper format.  While nicely done, the public was not allowed to ask questions.  All the public is ever allowed to do is make statements during a three minute alottment of time at the end of the meeting.  Getting no feed back from the comission or the other participants on the panel only leaves one feeling very placated.  But how much do we really learn?  I know a lot about energy...way more than a girl with a background in threatre could have ever imagined.  But I have been spending the past several years educating myself on the topic.  From sitting with lawmakers, attending conferences, interviewing business owners, etc - I have more hours than I care to count on learning about energy.  But how many other people can invest that kind of time?  I feel that it is the responsibility of the commission to open the doors and make it easy for the public to become involved.  It is the duty of a civil servant to serve the public and provide the opportunity for the public to brought up to the same level of knowledge that they have when making those decisions on behalf of the public.

The one thing that really got my goat was not that the commission requested to have private meetings, but that Commisioner Turner questioned the need for another town hall.  We are not operating under a deadline when it comes to signing the franchise agreement.  We no longer have a franchise agreement.  Time is truly on our side.  If nothing else can be to our benefit, is this opportunity that we have been granted to learn more about the power that we have in our hands.

I, for one, will not accept this to be swept under the rug so we can move onto the next issue at hand.  The public will be allowed the opportunity to be educated on this matter,with or without the City's help.  They can choose to either be the exception or the rule.  But the lesson will be learned.

To express your interest to the City Commission, you can find their information here.

A citizen speaks up for keeping the FPL franchise agreement negotiations in the PUBLIC eye

Reprinted from City Email:

Dear Commissioners,

I myself met with Mel Kline and Rae Dowling yesterday to discuss the franchise agreement. The meeting was initiated by Rae and was in response to an email inquiry I had sent FP&L via Nick Gladding. The questions posed can be seen below in the attached email.

In discussing the issue of the franchise agreement with FP&L, the issue became more clear to me than ever. In my opinion, the conversation should be focusing around questions 1 and 2 below.

1.      What is the benefit to the citizens of Sarasota in signing a Franchise Agreement with FP&L?

o        The fact is we the citizens receive no benefit. It ties us into a contract that we have no incentive to initiate. In the short term not renewing the franchise agreement would actually mean my electric bill would be decrease by around 6%.

o        The government does receive a benefit in signing the agreement in that it makes their duties a little easier because they can continue to tax the citizens in our area through the franchise fee and continue to pursue a "business as usual" mentality. In my opinion, this is not a good reason for signing the agreement. An as a city resident, I will not vote in the future for any commissioner who accepts a 30 year franchise agreement from FP&L.

o        FP&L on the other hand has great benefits from the city signing such an agreement. It guarantees that for the next 30 years we will continue to allow them to have exclusive rights to providing power to our community...now that they can "take to the bank".

2.      Isn't FP&L required by DCA (via the PSC) to provide power to us whether or not a Franchise Agreement is instated? The answer to that question is yes, FP&L will still be providing us with power and the same level of service whether or not we have a franchise agreement (just like Manatee County has no agreement).  I would like to point out if there is no franchise agreement, we would have the opportunity to consider becoming a public utility at any time we feel it is an appropriate avenue to pursue.

My understanding in listening to comments by Commissioner Turner at the recent commission meeting is that you (FP&L) are unsure of "who is running the show"? Well, I hope the show is being run by concerned citizens that are using their rights in a democratic society to voice their opinion and bring about real change. I am very hopeful the ability to execute this right will continue.

At the request of Rae Dowling and Mel Kline, I looked at the back of my bill for how the Franchise charge is defined. "Franchise Charge: A fee to local governments that we have an agreement with in order to provide electricity to their area". I would venture to say this is a severely limited statement and almost deceptive. The agreement has nothing to do with the fact that the fee is needed "in order to provide electricity to their area". The electricity would be provided regardless of whether the Franchise Agreement, or associated fee, was in place. That is not obvious from the statement description.

I see no reason for the City Government, as my representative, should enter into a franchise agreement. If they were to enter into an agreement, I feel the only acceptable term would be a 5 year agreement. With market conditions changing almost daily, I cannot feasibly see how we could commit to a 30 year agreement. If FP&L truly wants to "partner", they should understand this position and welcome the implied challenges in having a shorter term agreement. Let's look at history, 30 years ago when the last franchise agreement was initiated there was a huge push from the White House to diversify our countries power production and switch to forms of renewable energy. FP&L has had 30 years to make changes to the way they have been producing and distributing power in our area and I am disappointed with many of the choices they have made. Maybe we can facilitate change by taking a stand now and causing FP&L to wake-up and realize the "business as usual" mentality has no place in our community!

Thank you for taking the time to review this email and my concerns. I look forward to seeing you at the next PUBLIC meeting.

Sincerely,

Roger Landry, LEED^® AP 

FPL is turning down the sunshine in Sarasota

It is a sad day in Mudville folks when one of our City Commissioners questions the point of  holding another town hall for the public to explore the remaining options for the city when it comes to alternatives to signing the FPL franchise agreement.  It's even sadder when the city attorney is instructed to find ways around the Sunshine Law.

It appears that Commissioner Turner, the same man who was the first to lead the quest in finding alternatives to the city's energy supplier, is now having second thoughts about even going through the process.  After receiving a call from Rae Dowling, representative of FPL, Commissioner Turner is now calling into question Schef Wright, the attorney the city hired to help negotiate the franchise agreement, wondering what influence he has in these negotiations.  "It's troubling to me.  She (Ms. Dowling) thinks that Mr. Wright is in charge of negotiations for the city."  And now Mr. Turner is questioning other things that Ms. Dowling took issue with.  Commissioner Turner goes on to say that he is "not very comfortable" with the thought of having another public meeting or a feasibility study on the alternatives.  Commissioner Atwell said that Nick Gladding and Mel Kline asked, "Who's running the show?" during their meeting.

Yes.  I, too, would like to also know who is running the show?  

It was only less than two months ago that Commissioner Turner was challenging the integrity of FPL and their offer to the city.  He brought up points that most people wouldn't have the guts to even talk about.  That evening, he was asking the same questions that they people would have been asking if they too had a chance to read the new franchise agreement offered by FPL to the city.  Now it seems that it was all a ruse.  There was no meat on that bone.  There was never any intention of any real follow through other than a small offering to the public.  Now, the same Commissioner is asking the city attorney to see how they can get around the Sunshine Laws and hold a closed workshop for the Commission.

What is going on here??  Is everything that we do a charade? When will the people stand up and not just take notice but actually demand a better government.  "Just wait until November" I am told over and over again.  November?  Really?  Is that when it's gong to happen.  I'll be sure to make it down on my calendar.  And if you believe "November" is the date when the message is going to be heard loud and clear...well I've got a bridge I want to sell you.  And that bridge is available now.

Why is it that you think change is going to happen each time there is an election??  Every time an opportunity arises we pass on it, thinking that someone else will take care of it for us??  This mantra of CHANGE is really wearing thin on me.  Change will never happen when the majority spends most of their time waiting for someone else to drive the bus.

 "THE GOVERNMENT IS BROKEN" is what I hear all of the time.  Well I have a more honest assessment - CORPORATE AMERICA is KILLING US!  I will say it again.  CORPORATE AMERICA is KILLING US!  And yet we have made the government the evil-doers . We continually give Corporate America a pass because we all find ourselves sitting on the sidelines hoping that the coach will take us off the bench and put us into the game.  So we allow them to be above the law when it comes to crimes against the people.  We scream about injustice when our President doesn't go and punch someone out over the BP Oil Spill...and yet, where the hell is Haliburton or Transocean in all of this?  Why aren't they down cleaning the beach???

Just last week two different articles were written about how FPL continually controls the Public Service Commission like the strings on a marionette.  And yet our City Commission is still thinking that they can trust FPL when they are told that negotiations can be done outside of the franchise agreement.  Well, I'm thinking I now have a few more customers for the bridge that I need to unload - and fast!

When are we, the people, going to stop lining up like cattle?  When are we going to stand up to those who are standing in our way to the future that we know is possible for us?  When are we going to say, "We are not going to stand for this anymore!"

Just recently a lobbyist was heard to say FPL will decide who the winners and losers are going to be.  We need the Sunshine now more that ever.  Don't let FPL run our city like they are running our state.  Write the City Commissioners and let them know that we are tired and we are not going to take it anymore!

I pledge that I will take the 6% that FPL collects from me for the franchise fee and give it directly to the city.

How about you?  Will you take that pledge?

For video on the July 6 commission meeting -- Commissioner Comment section 1:44-1:52 of the recording --click here 

Florida House debuts first solar powered air conditioning system

Already known for innovation in energy conservation and sustainability, Sarasota County government is partnering with a local HVAC contractor to use the energy of the sun to cool the Florida House.

Representatives from Tri County Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. will join Sarasota County Commissioners at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 7, at the Florida House, 4454 Beneva Road, Sarasota to announce plans to install a state-of-the-art Lennox solar powered air conditioning system that will be the first of its kind in Florida.

Air conditioning accounts for 56 percent of an average household’s electricity consumption. The new system could decrease electric bills as much as 50 percent. An additional benefit of the system is that when the unit is not operating and the sun is shining, it will produce energy for additional household demands.

Tri County Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. has been in business for over 33 years and is one of the largest HVAC installers and service providers in the state of Florida. “When we learned in December of 2009 that Lennox was developing an air conditioning system that runs on solar power, we thought the Florida House would be the perfect place to introduce it to the public,” said Bill Swanson, President of Tri County Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.

Lennox has just begun production of the new unit and, according to John McCarthy, head of Sarasota County Parks and Recreation the timing could not be better, “We’re celebrating our independence as a country on July 4^th and now we’re announcing the next step to our ‘energy’ independence thanks to technology and local business partners like Tri County. Sarasota County government considers it and honor and a privilege to showcase yet another watershed event in the effort to become a more sustainable community.”

Tri County Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. will also install indoor air quality products and a separate photovoltaic system that will provide most of the energy needed to operate the rest of the house. The total retail value of the donation of all material and labor to install the products is approximately $65,000. It is the single largest donation to the Florida House renovation project by any local business.

Photovoltaics, new air conditioning, and indoor air quality products are just a few of the new additions to the Florida House, which plans to re-open in the fall. “We’re very excited about the cooperation we’ve received updating the Florida House,” says Nan Summers, executive director of The Florida House. “It has been a community project and we’re looking forward to sharing the results of the efforts of our partners with the public.”

The Florida House is a demonstration home and landscape featuring readily available environmentally friendly materials and methods for new and existing Florida homes and yards. The Florida House is a public/private partnership featuring Sarasota County Government, The University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Extension, The Florida House Foundation of Sarasota, Inc., and Sarasota County School District.

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net

Reprint of Press Release