News Summary
St. Petersburg residents are rallying behind the ‘Dump Duke’ movement, advocating for a municipal utility to replace Duke Energy. Following a City Council vote in favor of a feasibility study, community members are gathering signatures to support this initiative. Over dissatisfaction with Duke Energy’s service, advocates emphasize the need for local control over electricity and are considering the financial implications of municipalization, inspired by a similar initiative in Clearwater.
St. Petersburg is witnessing the rise of the “Dump Duke” movement as community members rally for alternatives to Duke Energy, their current electricity provider. A recent vote by the St. Petersburg City Council has approved a feasibility study that could pave the way for the establishment of a municipal utility, aimed at exploring this crucial issue before Duke’s franchise agreement expires next summer.
On October 4, 2025, 16 members of the “Dump Duke” movement met in Wildwood Park to strategize on canvassing efforts aimed at gathering signatures to support the petition advocating for alternatives to Duke Energy. Organizer Marley Price expressed that many residents have experienced dissatisfaction with Duke Energy’s services and are eager to consider other options.
The St. Petersburg City Council recently voted 5-3 to have Mayor Ken Welch seek bids for a feasibility study regarding the potential formation of a municipal utility. This study is vital as it will assess the viability of local electrical needs, evaluate renewable energy options, and gauge public interest in a municipal utility.
Previous studies from neighboring Clearwater suggest that municipalization may yield significant financial benefits. Clearwater’s feasibility study, conducted by NewGen Strategies & Solutions, indicates a possible 7% reduction in rates within the first five years and an 18% reduction in subsequent years if they were to break away from Duke Energy. However, the estimated cost of acquiring Duke’s assets for Clearwater ranges from $572 million to over $1 billion. If St. Petersburg were to pursue a similar route, it would likely involve the use of eminent domain to acquire Duke’s infrastructure, a process anticipated to be both expensive and legally complex.
Florida currently has 54 utilities providing electricity, with major providers including Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light, Florida Public Utilities, and Tampa Electric Company. The issue of municipalization in St. Petersburg is framed by the high costs and service issues that many residents say they have experienced with Duke. Several residents have vocalized their frustrations during City Council meetings, advocating for this initiative in light of perceived inequities in service delivery—particularly regarding Duke’s prioritization of wealthier customers.
Supporters of the municipalization effort argue for greater local control over electric services, especially given the significant concerns regarding Duke’s reliability and responsiveness to customer needs. While some City Council members have expressed skepticism about the feasibility or benefits of municipalizing, they support the feasibility study to provide the community with necessary information.
Critics of Duke, including local residents and politicians, have conveyed a united front calling for better service and fairer billing practices, reflecting a broader discontent with the utility’s operations. Duke Energy, on its part, has publicly opposed the idea of municipalization, stating that it does not intend to sell its infrastructure and highlighting the various risks associated with transitioning to a municipal utility.
The momentum behind the “Dump Duke” movement, coupled with St. Petersburg’s impending franchise agreement expiration, sets the stage for potentially transformative discussions about the future of energy provision in the area. As residents continue to gather support for alternative energy solutions, the feasibility study will serve as a crucial tool in determining the next steps in this ongoing debate.
The outcome of the feasibility study and the municipalization discussions will have profound implications not only for the cost of electricity in St. Petersburg but also for the overall governance of utility services in the city and its push for a more sustainable and equitable energy future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
St. Petersburg Residents Rally Against Duke Energy
Residents Rally Against Duke Energy in St. Petersburg
Clearwater City Council Initiates Electric Utility Appraisal
St. Petersburg Moves to Explore Municipal Electric Utility
St. Petersburg Evaluates Electric Power Provider Amid Rising Costs
Additional Resources
- TBN Weekly: Clearwater Beacon Article
- Wikipedia: Electricity provision in the United States
- Florida Politics: St. Pete Takes Step to Study Municipal Electric Feasibility
- Google Search: St. Petersburg municipal utility
- St. Pete Catalyst: Clearwater Takes Another Step Toward Dumping Duke
- Google Scholar: municipal utilities Florida
- St. Pete Catalyst: Has Duke Sold a Lie to St. Petersburg?
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Electricity
- WTSP: Duke Energy Clearwater City Council
- Google News: Duke Energy Florida
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
