As I researched municipal broadband over the past year, I noticed that most of the communities pursuing municipal broadband had already established municipal power. Apparently, their success with one led them naturally to pursue the other. There are significant potential efficiencies in pursuing both. The following quote captures the idea nicely:
"Why are communities with municipal electric utilities (MEU) the most likely to deploy FTTH? The reason is a relatively lower cost of entry into wired communications. As the local power company, the MEU already has access to conduit and/or utility poles, a fleet of trucks to provide outside plant and customer premises servicing, and a service relationship with consumers and businesses in the community. Moreover, many MEUs also enjoy a long history of political support from the local community." - Sharon Gillett, Municipal Trends, Broadband Properties Sept 2004