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Century, Pensacola At Stalemate Over North Escambia Gas Franchise
May 22, 2014
It’s coming up on a month since the Escambia County Commission delayed a vote on natural gas franchise agreement to give Century and Pensacola time to work out their differences, and, so far, Century’s attorney says there’s been no conversation at all.
“Since that time I have not heard one word,” attorney Matt Dannheisser, who represents the Town of Century, said. “To be honest, I’m not surprised in the slightest…Their (Pensacola’s) track record has suggested to me we may not hear anything from them.”
Century currently holds exclusive franchise rights from Escambia County to provide natural gas service from the Escambia River westward to almost the Perdido River and from the Alabama state line southward to near Bogia. The franchise area includes Century, Byrneville, Bratt, Oak Grove, Walnut Hill and McDavid. The 50-year franchise was granted by the county in 1968 to the Town of Century (then known as the Town of South Flomaton) to provide natural gas services to the northernmost part of the county.
Pensacola Energy, formerly known as Energy Services of Pensacola, currently provides natural gas service to commercial customers in Bratt and Walnut Hill — within the Town of Century’s gas franchise area. Pensacola Energy provides natural gas to Ernest Ward Middle School and Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill, and Bratt Elementary and Northview High School in Bratt. They also provide natural gas service to an unknown number of residential customers near Kansas Road, Green Village Road and North Highway 99 in Bratt.
The Escambia County Commission agreed in late April to hold off about 90 days to allow Century and Pensacola to work out their differences prior to scheduling a public hearing on the proposed franchise.
Dannheisser accused Pensacola of trying to “muddy the water” and “confuse the county commission”. He said there are only two issues of concern to the commission — Century’s request to extend their franchise on the same terms as other gas companies in the county so everyone “plays by the same rules”, and Pensacola’s infringement into Century’s franchise area.
“Pensacola has been infringing in our franchise for quite some time,” the attorney said, adding that Century still does not know the extent of the infringement and how much revenue the town may have lost.
He said Century’s original intent was to obtain the franchise extension from the county commission, then address any issues between the town and city.
Dannheisser said none of the involved parties have been able to locate any past evidence of any agreement that allowed Pensacola to provided natural gas service in the North Escambia area.
If Century and Pensacola can’t come to terms, litigation is a possibility.
But the cost of litigation could exceed the benefits received, Dannheisser said, candidly adding the fact had been pointed out to him by Pensacola’s attorney “no less than 15 times…as if I were obtuse and could not recognize that right off the bat.”
Pictured top: A Pensacola Energy meter in front of Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill, inside the Town of Century gas franchise area. Pictured below: The Town of Century’s gas franchise map (click to enlarge). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Century, Pensacola At Stalemate Over North Escambia Gas Franchise”
When the franchise rights expire in 2018 for Century, one option that could happen is the City of Pensacola assumes responsibility for all Natural Gas Services. Might be a time to consider building bridges with the BCC and seek a middle ground.
just listening: just remember we have 5 County Commissioners, and 4 of them represent Pensacola, and 1 for district 5!! The odds are not good!!
Again the south end of county has done something illegal…if this were and individual they would go after them….but they don´t even respond and stop “stealing” from Century. They take away our schools and county offices so we have to drive further than necessary to take card of business or to educate our children. If they won´t respond and do what is right maybe it can be taken even higher….we should all contact Gov Scott to have the counties business practices checked into….they only want downtown Pensacola to get everything and forget the county extends a lot further north.
Clearly A wrong has been done by Energy Services of Pensacola–no doubt about it. The infringement was the beginning and now a ha-d-ha-ha at Century as to who the big guy is and setting back and doing nothing to rectify the WRONG but maybe padding the pockets of some commissioners and a Lawyer or two in the process to insure they get what they want. Century has good intentions and want to serve these customers and was probably never notified when services was desired or needed since there was no conversation between Energy services of Pensacola and Century. The Schools, Businesses and private customers in this area are not to blame they are just caught In the middle. The threat of cutting them off is a Big bully threat from Energy Services of Pensacola. The simple answer and right thing to do is for Energy Services of Pensacola to OWN up to its underhanded actions and threats to customers. Transfer the installed Service now in existence to Century with no Strings attached for the YEARS of income that Century was deprived of and JUST walk away. Allow Century to install a Meter at the Francize line of the existing Supply line and go elsewhere to do business. Otherwise Century should call their bluff and spend the last Dime in the Coffers and show them a lesson. Surely there are Justly Mannered Folk on the County Commission that see the where the fault lies. If it comes to Litigations, there too are folk that can see the Energy Services of Pensacola’s short comings and clear the air in Century’s favor. Just saying
“Pensacola” leadership does not appear to be really interested in all of the city boundaries but is focused on the downtown area where the growth is in bars and small businesses hiring people at minimum wage.
Only reason one can see for “Pensacola” to be interested in the gas service to the north end is financial and territorial in wanting to have a monopoly on all natural gas services in Escambia County.
For the city gas to threaten cutting off fuel to homes and to schools gives the public a perception of them being mean and bullying.
The larger and more important issue is that Pensacola is charging the Town’s customers substantially more than what Century would charge. Those customers may not be aware of the extent to which they are being overcharged. Anyone who is affected and interested in learning more is encouraged to contact the Century Town Clerk, Leslie Gonzales (850-256-3208) for more information.
Things are done by those that benefit from them…another issue of out of sight out of mind . nothing will be done until its too late .they want growth..but their interest in the needs of a sparse community doesn’t apply to them . lets wait and see actions . but they do have the funds and means for those that are in the circle.
It seems to me that this is another case of Pensacola’s wanting to use the north end of the county for it’s own benefit and not doing anything to help the north end. It is just about greed. And it is a shame that Century should even have to fight this battle when Pensacola gas has been in the wrong to begin with.