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Tuesday's letters: Duke working to give customers more

 
Published April 13, 2015

Is Duke's sunny side sincere? | April 12, Robert Trigaux column

Working to give customers more

I appreciate Robert Triguax's column and I understand his skepticism.

Over the last year, we've asked our customers, our employees, small and large businesses, key leaders and legislators what they want and need. We understand customers expect reliable service at the lowest cost possible and increasingly want renewable energy sources. Customers expect more options in how they use our products and interact with us.

Being one of the safest and most reliable electric service providers in the state and across the country is no longer enough. Customers want more and we will provide them more.

Although our residential price and our commercial and industrial rates are lower than many electric utilities in the state and below the national average, we recognize that energy is one of the largest expenses for families and businesses in Florida. That is why we proposed "securitizing," or refinancing, costs associated with our Crystal River nuclear plant at much lower interest rates, saving our customers more than $800 million. This proposal, if passed by the Legislature and signed into law, will lower electric bills over the next 20 years, as will the removal of $3.45 from an average customer monthly bill for the Levy County nuclear project.

Last week, we announced we are planning to build up to 500 megawatts of new solar plants by 2024. And yes, we said "up to." We see the costs for solar photovoltaic systems continuing to decrease, and in the next five to six years being a lower cost source of energy compared to traditional forms of power. In the meantime, we are going to prepare now by investing in smaller solar systems, distributed throughout our grid, then ramping up to eventually own 500 megawatts when costs are reasonable for our customers.

We understand that trust is hard to earn and easily lost. Customers have a right to expect the best from their electric service provider, and we are working hard to earn their trust every day.

Alex Glenn, state president, Duke Energy Florida, St. Petersburg

Law enforcement shootings

Militarization of police

When is enough, enough? A Cleveland police officer, who is a former Marine, fires 49 rounds through the windshield of a car, killing two unarmed suspects. A North Charleston, S.C., police officer, who is a former Coast Guard member, shoots a man in the back five times over a broken taillight.

It is not about race; it is about the rise of military culture in our police forces. In war it is acceptable to shoot the enemy in the back. When police view themselves as warriors and the citizens they are sworn to protect as the enemy, it is no surprise that they act like warriors.

Douglas deVlaming, Largo

Energy policy

Close loophole for polluters

America's energy challenges will be met through free enterprise if we allow market forces to work. There is nothing more American than competition, when the competition is fair. But America's energy producers aren't all playing by the same rules. The 2005 energy bill created the "Halliburton Loophole" exempting gas and oil exploration from regulation by the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. This loophole, which no other industry is permitted, has created a bounty of apparently cheap "fracked gas."

What the ultimate price for this cheap gas will be, no one can say. Short term, Americans are suffering immediate medical expenses from exposure to fracking fluids and escaping gases. Groundwater is being polluted. Families and entire communities are losing their potable water supplies. Both the production and consumption of this gas release vast quantities of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases. And the use of injection wells to dispose of fracking waste is creating a legacy of spoiled aquifers. No one knows what the final price of "fracked" gas will be, but this much is certain: It won't be paid by those who profit from spoiling our air and water — it will be paid by American communities for generations.

All energy companies should compete on a level playing field. The Halliburton Loophole should be repealed.

Kent Bailey, chair, Tampa Bay Sierra Club, Thonotosassa

House passes $690M tax cut | April 10

Special interest tax break

This tax cut package includes cuts for gun clubs and sales tax exemptions for their memberships. A gun club member is enjoying a hobby just like golfers at country clubs or those working out at a health club. One might argue that people who take the time to play golf or work out are actually improving their physical fitness. Those who keep themselves fit are less of a burden on our health care system. Shouldn't people who spend their hard-earned money on these memberships be tax-exempt, as well? Once again our representatives seek a tax cut for a specific for-profit special interest group.

If the families of Florida ran their household budgets the way our representatives run this state, we would all be in the poor house.

Gary Foley, Gulfport

Help Floridians still waiting in pain April 7, editorial

Relief for seizures can't wait

Thank you for this editorial. It was a humane and compelling review of the plight of Floridians waiting to be able to access the noneuphoric strain of marijuana. We are grateful to the Tampa Bay Times for keeping this issue in the forefront of the news.

Our son has Dravet syndrome and has had severe grand mal seizures for years. The traditional seizure medications have never worked for him. In fact, they have made his condition worse. What legislators need to remember is that these seizures at any time could prove fatal for the children.

It is unfathomable that a helpful oil, CBD, is available for shipping and has already been passed as legal to take in Florida, yet there is no way to get it here. We, and the thousands of other Florida families, are pleading for quick action. Our children's lives depend on it.

Thomas and Susan Watson, Dover