The Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) Authority heard updates on an expanded customer advocacy program and the integrated resource plan at its regular meeting on Monday.
Photo by Seth Johnson
The Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) Authority heard updates on an expanded customer advocacy program and the integrated resource plan at its regular meeting on Monday. GRU General Manager Ed Bielarski also ran through some of the statistics from Hurricane Helene and updated the authority on the preparations for Hurricane Milton that is predicted to hit late Wednesday. Bielarski said GRU replaced 98 utility poles, 460 insulators, 70 transformers and 18,440 feet of overhead lines. On the wastewater side, GRU staff dealt with power outages to 110 lift stations that pump wastewater to treatment plants. Crews took generators to the lift stations to keep pumps running and hauled 1 million gallons of wastewater to the treatment plants. Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible. See Member Benefits GRU was assisted by utility and tree crews from Ohio, Texas, Louisiana and other parts of Florida. In fact, Bielarski said GRU had 126 line workers after Hurricane Helene—92 work for other utilities and came to help. Bielarski said the utility has more than 200 utility poles in supply for Hurricane Milton. He said the crews from other states will come to help as well, but the exact number and coordination will depend on the storm and the final landfall location and impacts. Yvette Carter, government affairs and community relations director, updated the GRU Authority on the expanded customer advocacy program. She noted that the utility has run the program for more than a decade—mostly out of the public eye. But the utility wants to ensure customers know about and can access the resources available. Carter said customer service can handle more than 90% of complaints. The customer advocacy program steps in for issues that go beyond, often dealing with payment assistance through third-party organizations or even appealing decisions. “Our goal is to provide customers with hometown service by working with them one-on-one to resolve difficult or unique utility issues,” the program says online. As part of increasing visibility, Carter said a dedicated phone line and email has been set up. The program will also have “office hours” in the GRU Administration Building lobby and increase signage. You can find more information on the Advocate Program page of GRU’s website. GRU started on an integrated resource plan (IRP) in 2023 following the previous version in 2019. When the GRU Authority installed Bielarski as general manager in June, he fired two top officials, including one over the IRP process. Bielarski said Monday that the IRP pausing has been a topic of discussion. Last month, he told Mainstreet that the 2023 IRP and that from 2019 had practically the same outcomes, plus some of the inputs for the plan had changed. “We’re going to use what the IRP developed and try to shape it for us moving forward,” Bielarski said. “Because it didn’t confront the resource restrictions that we have and the idea of us really wanting to keep rates at where they are—as opposed to escalating in every system every year for the next 10 years, which is where the plan was.”Become A Member
The plan presented to the GRU Authority on Monday aims to wait to expand when the market gives an opportunity. For now, Bielarski said GRU will run its existing generation assets as long as possible by extending life and investing in the units. The utility will also firm up natural gas supplies and transport to end reliance on coal and pursue transmission and generation alliances.
Bielarksi said GRU could look into solar, battery, RICE engines and long-term power purchase agreements when opportunities arise.
He said the contract with Origis Energy has hit problems that could make the project unfeasible. Originally, the plan was for the solar site to produce energy for around $20 per kilowatt hour. After delays in permitting a site through Alachua County, the price jumped with a renegotiation.
Bielarski said even the negotiated rate likely won’t be feasible for Origis Energy, who would ask for another increase, which in turn might not be feasible for GRU.
The Origis Energy contract, to provide 75 megawatts of solar, was also scrutinized by lawmakers at a Joint Legislative Audit Committee hearing last year because of the redactions on prices.
Bieslarski said solar remains an option if the price is right. For now, the plan will be to invest in and lengthen the life of existing facilities.
Chair Eric Lawson asked how GRU would provide power if one of the assets slated for retirement in the next several years fails. Bielarski said a power purchase agreement would be able to cover the gap.
The next regular GRU Authority meeting is scheduled for Nov. 6.
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Tags: Alachua County customer advocacy program ed bielarski Eric Lawson Gainesville regional utilities Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority GRU Administration Building Hurricane Helene Hurricane Milton Integrated Resource Plan Joint Legislative Audit Committee Orgis Energy Yvette Carter
Seth Johnson Seth Johnson is a Mainstreet Daily News reporter based in Gainesville. He earned a degree in journalism and mass communication and served as editor-in-chief of his school newspaper. Seth is a bookworm and chess nerd, but he tempers these activities by playing sports and biking. View all posts
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Juan
19 hours ago
Solar is Good! But not what the Gainesville Clowns approved.Gainesville City Commissioners are not qualified to secure and negotiate contracts that are good for GRU. Which is why the Gainesville City Commissioners were fired. Their efforts to regain control along with their sheeple supporters revels a very shallow minded , still in denial ,obscene power grab. I think an investigation into their actions and agenda , similar to the JEA forensic audit is warranted . Thank you, Mr. Bielarski for saving GRU.
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Bill Whitten
16 hours ago
The plan, as presented, is notable for its lack of forward thinking and planning. It’s pretty much “we’ll just keep on keeping on and see what turns up”. The obvious priority is keeping rates low in the short term and let the future take care of itself. Appear from the continuing commitment to fossil fuels, one would think that the severity of recent (and future) weather might be incentive to invest in hardening the distribution system. Cheaper power isn’t worth much if you can’t access it.
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