Press Release: In Wake of GRU Vote, Sierra Club Florida Suwannee St. Johns Group Urges City Commission to Focus on Affordability, Sustainability, Full Representation

Press Release From Sierra Club Florida Suwannee St. Johns Group:

As Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) governance returns to local hands, the Sierra Club Florida Suwannee St. Johns Group urges the City Commission to focus on four key issues, ranging from energy affordability and sustainability to ensuring all customers have a voice in the utility’s management.

On Tuesday, voters issued a clear mandate for GRU to return to local control, with 75% voting YES. This referendum marks the third time that residents have affirmed their support for locally accountable oversight of their municipal utility. The state took over the utility in 2023 and created a governing board answerable only to the governor.

“This moment offers an opportunity for a reset, ” said Jyoti Parmar, organizing representative for the Sierra Club Florida Chapter. “It invites Gainesville to reimagine its utility so that sustainability, affordability, and accountability go hand in hand with energy justice and community resilience. ”

The Sierra Club calls on the City Commission to engage the community in focusing on the following areas:

Energy Affordability: Address the significant energy burdens facing low-income households. The commission should expand assistance programs, invest in energy efficiency, and pursue rate structures that ensure affordability for all customers.

Sustainability, Climate Resilience and Justice: Realign GRU to Gainesville’s adopted climate goals, transition to cheaper, clean renewable energy and in a way that advances equity.

General Fund Transfer: Clearly communicate how the general fund transfer will be handled going forward, and ensure that its structure balances city needs with fairness to GRU customers.

Representation for County GRU Customers: Develop an inclusive process that gives GRU customers outside city limits a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their service and rates.

“Realigning GRU is critical to achieving Gainesville’s climate goals,” said David Hastings, PhD., a climate scientist and member of the local Sierra Club Executive Committee. “Only through reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and expanding affordable, renewable energy can we secure a livable future for all Floridians.”

The Sierra Club joins its community partners, including Gainesville Residents United, the Alachua County Labor Coalition, League of Women Voters of Alachua County and the NAACP, in recognizing this important moment for local democracy and responsible utility governance.