Temtped by the Fruit of Another

Since Florida is a noncompetitive electricity market, residents of Jacksonville are stuck in a long-term relationship with JEA and its mercury spewing ways. But, oh, to take a look around the state and see FPL - it seems so attractive. While JEA keeps spewing the mercury using a fuel from Charles Dickens era, FPL has kept up with the times (those are FPL's windmills in the picture). For example, FPL Group Inc. plans to invest $2.4 billion over several years in zero-mercury-emissions technology -- solar-thermal and other renewable energy products. FPL Group is making this investment while providing a 36% total shareholder return. As a citizen of Jacksonville, and therefore a "shareholder" of city-owned JEA, what kind of return are you getting?

Higher rates and mercury emissions. And since Florida is a noncompetitive market, JEA has no competition. That's why strong government oversight is so important. Email the mayor and city council, and tell them you're tired of JEA's mercury emissions and its reliance on Charles Dickens era coal. As for now, our relationship with JEA is like a Britney Spears song...toxic.