After many setbacks, Glenn Straub has acquired Revel Casino and became the owner of another shuttered casino on the territory of Atlantic City – the Showboat. The acquisitions form part of the massive Phoenix Project started by Mr. Straub but it seems he has to be prepared for dealing with another issue. This time, the matter concerns the electricity supply of Revel and the negative consequences the lack of heat and air conditioning might have on the property.
Mr. Straub announced that he was not going to use the services of ACR Energy Partners, the main electricity supplier of Revel. Instead, he tried to materialize the idea of supplying Revel with electricity via the former Showboat Casino. However, matters were brought to a standstill as it became clear that such actions cannot be taken, unless state officials allow so and issue a license.
According to information revealed by Greg Reinert, a representative of the state Board of Public Utilities, anyone who wants to be a third party supplier of electricity in the state has to be granted a license.
Yet, he was reluctant to cast light on the electricity issues of Revel, and the Showboat and said that the Board members are not well-acquainted with all specifications.
Eight days ago, ACR Energy revealed that Revel will be disconnected from the electricity grid as they cannot afford it to provide services without being compensated for that. ACR representatives also added that Mr. Straub left them with not other alternative but to cut Revel electricity off.
Matters will most probably be taken to court, unless an agreement between ACR and Polo North Country Club is reached.
What ACR wants is to prevent Mr. Straub from using their equipment for illegal purposes. As already mentioned, Mr. Straub is planning to supply Revel Casino with electricity from the Showboat but ACR representatives said that his intentions might be quite dangerous as the equipment Straub was going to use might cause accidents and even death.
Meanwhile, Mr. Straub reached an agreement with Stockton University officials. According to the clauses it contains, the Showboat will provide Revel with electricity, hot and cold water and Mr. Straub will cover all expenses related to the connections.
Even if Mr. Straub becomes the sole owner of the Showboat, he will still be obliged to obtain the aforementioned license but in this case some other conditions are to be taken into consideration.
A few days ago, the Florida developer brought two mobile generators but he will most probably have to pay a substantial fine as the generators are powered by diesel and the financial penalty for the emissions they produce is $3,000 daily.
Straub might also be forced to pay another fine, unless he ensures a fire suppression system. The Director of the Department of Licensing and Inspections in Atlantic City said that they have not received any application related to the generators approval so far.
