CLEARWATER, Fla. - Before the City of Clearwater decided to greenlight the appraisal process to create a city-owned electric utility company, residents voiced their support while Duke Energy employees touted how much they did for the community after last year's hurricanes.

What we know:

Clearwater started researching the idea of dropping Duke Energy last year after residents worried about rising rates.

The study, by NewGen Strategies and Solutions, claims a city-owned electric utility company could save the average resident $17 a month in its first year alone.

However, it did note there could be significant legal and other challenges.

To get its own utilities, the city would have to buy Duke Energy's system, which the company says would cost about $1.1 billion, and Duke Energy said

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