The Sarasota City Commission will “consider” the latest draft of the proposed 30-year franchise agreement between the city and Florida Power & Light, as well as a “Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Energy Sustainability Agreement” at its Monday evening meeting.
Sarasota and FPL have been negotiating for months over the terms of both contracts. The franchise agreement gives FPL a monopoly on providing energy within city limits in exchange for a cut of users’ electric bills, while the renewable energy agreement guarantees that FPL works with the city on renewable energy projects, a major goal of the City Commission. An Oct. 15 letter from City Attorney Robert Fournier (which you can read in full after the jump) provides details on what those projects would look like:
- FPL will provide educational resources and programs to inform and instruct the City and its citizens on issues related to energy efficiency and conservation programs and on the benefits and technology associated with renewable energy.
- Prior to December 31, 2015, FPL shall perform an energy audit on all of the City’s electric accounts.
- Prior to December 31, 2015, FPL will perform an energy audit of the 100 largest electricity consuming accounts located within the municipal limits of the City.
- Within every five-year period thereafter, FPL will perform an energy audit for all City accounts and the 50 other largest electricity consuming accounts within the municipal limits of the City.
- FPL will pay for one City employee to obtain LEED certification.
- FPL will establish an educational testing facility within the City including new solar photo voltaic panels.
- In 2021 FPL will install 10 additional pole mounted photo voltaic panels.
- In 2031 FPL will replace the initial five pole mounted photo voltaic panels.
- FPL will develop a solar school within the municipal limits of the City by installing solar photo voltaic panels.
- In 2021 FPL will provide another solar school installation.
- In 2031 FPL will provide another solar school installation.
- FPL will install five electric vehicle charging stations within the municipal limits of the City.
- In 2016 FPL will provide an additional ten electric vehicle charging stations.
- In 2021 FPL will replace the initial five electric vehicle charging stations.
- In 2026 FPL will replace the second ten electric vehicle charging stations.
- During the next 30 years, FPL will perform home energy makeovers for 1,500 homes within the municipal limits of the City.
- During the next 30 years, FPL will perform 15 non-profit energy makeovers for non-profit entities within the municipal limits of the City.
- Subject to the passage of enabling legislation, FPL will develop a large scale rooftop solar facility within the municipal limits of the City.
- Subject to the passage of enabling legislation, FPL will develop and install a demonstration LED streetlight pilot program.
- Subject to the passage of enabling legislation, FPL will develop a utility scale solar generation project.
The City Commission had earlier expressed reservations about signing an energy contract that ties up its options for three decades, but FPL has signaled it is unwilling to negotiate on the duration of the agreement.
Fournier’s letter, as well as the Monday meeting agenda:
