Tag Archives: GREC

The GRU Authority referendum on the November ballot will allow Gainesville residents to vote on whether GRU’s governing authority should be transferred to an independent board appointed by the city commission.

Although lower utility rates have been the reasoning behind the Gainesville city commission's support for the recent GREC purchase, rates are not decreasing as much as residents had hoped. In fact, customers' bills will still increase in the long run.

The Gainesville City Commission on Thursday night voted 5-2 in favor of Gainesville Regional Utilities’ $750 million purchase of the Gainesville Renewable Energy Center (GREC).

The Gainesville Sun, WUFT and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service will host a public program at 6 p.m. on June 13 in the Pugh Hall Ocora that will examine the ongoing negotiations between Gainesville Regional Utilities and the Gainesville Renewable Energy Center.

At a public forum Monday night, Ed Bielarski, GRU's general manager, took questions from concerned citizens about GRU's efforts to purchase the GREC biomass plant. Some called for more accountability and others worry the city may enter into another unfair deal.

GRU awaits city commission decision on whether to allow their $750 million purchase.

GRU wants to purchase a biomass plant from GREC for $750 million. GREC has yet to sign the MOU.