In an unexpected move, a divided city council has turned down a proposed franchise agreement with Tampa Electric, forcing Mayor Pam Iorio's administration back to the negotiating table with the private regional energy company. ...more

November 8, 2008

TAMPA In an unexpected move, a divided city council Thursday night voted down a proposed franchise agreement with Tampa Electric, forcing Mayor Pam Iorio's administration back to the negotiating table with the private regional energy company. The vote was 4 to 2 on a motion by Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena to reject the voluminous 25-year agreement. Council President Tom Scott and Councilman Charlie Miranda cast the dissenting votes. ...more

November 7, 2008

In the closest county race, Bob White got his wish Tuesday as Pasco voters re-elected him, making him the first sheriff in decades to clinch a third term. ...more

November 5, 2008

TECO'S REQUESTS Tampa Electric Co. is asking to increase what it bills customers for base electric rates and fuel costs. If both proposals are approved by state regulators, electric bills would rise 21 percent by next summer. Here is what 1,000 kilowatt hours would cost under the proposals: ...more

November 1, 2008

Florida's Public Service Commission is torn by conflicting goals. The appointed board is trying to keep electric rates as low as possible during a year of rising fuel costs, yet it also wants the utilities it regulates to begin switching to renewable sources of energy, which at this point is more expensive than coal and natural gas. ...more

November 1, 2008

Something else to blame on the grim housing market: The Bay area's largest power providers are losing customers for the first time in memory. ...more

November 1, 2008

A man arrested on burglary charges escaped from the back of a patrol car earlier today but was found this afternoon, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said. ...more

October 27, 2008

Tampa Electric Co. will begin an aerial inspection of its transmission system Tuesday, using low-flying helicopters to conduct the assessment. Rick Morera, a TECO spokesman, said the helicopters will be flying below 100 feet most of the time and will momentarily hover next to each transmission pole or tower during the inspection. ...more

October 27, 2008

Since the primaries in September boiled down the partisan candidates to two, the race for sheriff has been quiet on the surface, even with the general election's addition of a nonpartisan candidate. ...more

October 26, 2008

Every 25 years, the city renegotiates its franchise with Tampa Electric. To environmental advocates, the talks provide a window of opportunity for city officials to push for green policies, renewable energy programs and other concessions from the regional utility. ...more

October 24, 2008