FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
March 30, 2009
LAST WEEK
Cane Island Unit 4 Groundbreaking
FMPA broke ground on a new generator at Cane Island Power Park last Friday. Construction on Cane Island Unit 4 is expected to take approximately two years. With its highly efficient design and state-of-the-art environmental controls, Unit 4 will be one of the cleanest plants in Florida. Special thanks to the employees of the Cane Island Power Park and to KUA’s Corporate Communications Department for support before, during and after the event.
Strategic Plan
FMPA’s members approved a strategic plan for FMPA last Thursday that defines the Agency’s goals and strategies for the future. The plan was developed during a two-day strategic planning workshop. Printed copies of the plan were distributed to employees last Friday and will be mailed to members this week. A copy of the plan is also posted on the FMPA Member Portal.
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee met last Wednesday. The meeting was well attended and included excellent discussions of topics including: 1) FMPA’s 2009 Strategic Plan, 2) fuel hedging and transmission costs, 3) current events in individual cities, and 4) FMPA’s Member Portal. The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for July 16 during the FMEA-FMPA Annual Conference. Contact: Mark McCain
Risk Oversight Committee
FMPA’s Risk Oversight Committee met last Thursday and approved action items including:: 1) language changes to the natural gas and fuel oil risk policy, 2) an additional authorized trader, 3) the auditor selection process and time schedule, and 4) an Information Systems audit.
FMPA Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Thursday and approved action items including: 1) a Resolution of Appreciation for Bob Williams, 2) negotiating a contract with Nick Guarriello to fill the General Manager and CEO position and create a timeline to fill the position in two or more subsequent years, 3) evaluation of the Interim General Manager, 4) the 2009 Strategic Plan, 5) an amendment to Article III, section 3 of the Interlocal Agreement creating FMPA, 6) a charter for the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee, 7) a charter for the Business and Budget Committee, 8) the Committee Policy Reporting Statement, and 9) the selection of an independent auditor.
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee met last Thursday and approved action items including: 1) the 2009 Strategic Plan, 2) a charter for the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee, 3) a charter for the Business and Budget Committee, 4) the Committee Policy Reporting Statement, 5) foundation recommendations for Cane Island Unit 4, 6) AEGIS as FMPA’s property and builders’ all risk insurance provider, 7) language changes to the natural gas and fuel oil risk policy, 8) directing staff to develop a rate relief strategy, and 9) directing staff to issue a request for proposals on hedging and gas storage.
Cane Island Unit 4
The South Florida Water Management District authorized the placement of a silt fence at the Cane Island Unit 4 construction site, after FMPA relocates the gopher tortoises in the area. This is a significant milestone toward beginning construction. Contact: Steve Carroll
Remembering Bob Williams
All-Requirements Project Load
The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph has been posted on the Member Portal. The graph is updated through March 30. Contact: Jim Atz
THIS WEEK
2009 APPA Public Communications Committee Spring Issues Roundtable
Bree Balchunas attends the 2009 American Public Power Association Public Communications Committee Spring Issues Roundtable on Thursday in Washington, D.C. Participants at this annual event will discuss issues common to communications and marketing departments at community- and state-owned electric utilities. Topics of this year’s roundtable include strategic planning, how the economic crisis is affecting utilities, promoting energy efficiency and proper use of new media.
Lineman’s Roundtable
Wednesday is the deadline to register for FMPA’s next Lineman’s Roundtable scheduled for April 16 in Kissimmee at 10 a.m. Roundtable participants will exchange ideas on operations practices, safety training, tools and equipment. To register, visit FMPA’s” rel=”nofollow”>http://fmpa.com/html/member_services/pdf/hr_roundtable.pdf>FMPA’s Web site. Contact: Mike Siefert
IN THE INDUSTRY
KUA Mous Loss of Jeff Kronauge
Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) is mouing the loss of Jeff Kronauge, a nine-year employee of the utility. Kronauge served KUA as a power plant operator/mechanic in the utility’s power supply department. He died March 19, from an aortic aneurysm, at the age of 54.
Gainesville Regional Utilities Eas ACE Award
Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) eaed the 2009 Award of Continued Excellence from the APPA Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments (DEED) program last Tuesday at the APPA Engineering and Operations Technical Conference in Austin, Tex. GRU has been awarded several DEED grants over the years and according to the Chair of DEED, Jim Park, “The knowledge gained through these and other GRU-sponsored projects has helped DEED members throughout the country provide improved efficiency and service to their own electric customers.
Utilities Criticized In Report on Natural Gas Storage
A report released by The Consumer Federation entitled, “Natural Gas Storage: A Needed Insurance Policy to Protect Florida Consumers and Our State’s Energy Supply, criticized the failure of Florida Power and Light and other utilities to line up in-state storage capacity for natural gas. The report found Florida’s electric system is “overwhelmingly dependent on gas and “must import nearly all of its gas from outside the state through just two pipelines. If a natural disaster such as a hurricane were to strike, natural gas storage in Florida would act as insurance policy. The Executive Director of Consumer Federation of the Southeast, Walter Dartland, hopes that FPL, consumer groups and other interested parties will meet to discuss this issue, and have the Florida Public Service Commission determine whether contracting for in-state gas storage would in fact cost more and if so whether that cost premium would provide for more reliable electric service.
FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA for employees and goveing boards of FMPA member utilities. Questions or comments about this newsletter may be directed to Diane Nelson or Beth Pangbo in FMPA’s Public Relations Department.
Want more background on the names and terms used in this newsletter? Check out FMPA’s new Glossary, which features some of the most frequently mentioned committees, companies, places and terms, or contact the person named in each FMPA story to lea more. (Click here for the Staff Directory).
Have a question, comment or story idea for the newsletter? FMPA welcomes your feedback at any time. Contact Diane Nelson.