FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
May 4, 2009
LAST WEEK
St. Lucie Unit 2
St. Lucie Unit 2 shut down last Sunday for a scheduled refueling. The unit is expected to retu to service in approximately a month. Contact: David Schumann
Strategic Plan
FMPA staff are developing action items to implement the goals and strategies in FMPA’s Strategic Plan. The action items will be presented to the Board of Directors and the ARP Executive Committee for consideration at an upcoming meeting. For a copy of the Strategic Plan, please visit the Member Portal.
Fitch Ratings
FMPA met with Fitch Ratings via conference call last Friday. Fitch affirmed FMPA’s stable rating. Contact: Mark Larson
Business Planning and Budget Committee
The Business Planning and Budget Committee’s cost-center teams participated in telephonic workshops last week to discuss the All-Requirements Project budget. The workshops covered all areas of the budget including: 1) member capacity, 2) purchased power, 3) direct charges and other, 4) contract capacity, 5) debt, 6) transmission, 7) gas transportation, 8) All-Requirements Project owned capacity, and 9) fuels. The teams will meet again May 12 to May 14 to finalize budget costs. Contact: Mark Larson
Economic Stimulus Workgroup
The Economic Stimulus Workgroup met April 24 to discuss: 1) solar installations on All-Requirements Project participant’s buildings, 2) a community climate change strategy, and 3) SmartGrid technology. The group met again last Friday to discuss: 1) a climate action, energy efficiency and renewable energy proposal, 2) the SmartGrid proposal, 2) member interest in proposed projects, 4) identification of potential project costs, 5) Executive Committee approval of potential project costs, 6) coordination of participation with FMEA members, 7) request for proposals for grant writers, and 8) the Member Portal and FMEA Web site. The workgroup’s next meeting will be May 15 at 9 a.m. For more information or to view the agenda packages, visit the Economic Stimulus Workgroup section on the Members Portal. Contact: Michele Jackson
Joint Transmission Operations
Representatives of Beaches Energy Services, Homestead, Kissimmee Utility Authority, New Smya Beach and Vero Beach met last Wednesday to discuss the possible costs and organization of a potential joint transmission operation program. Contact: Tom Reedy
Turkey Point
Tom Reedy traveled to Juno Beach, Fla., last Monday for an update on Florida Power and Light’s proposed development of two nuclear units at the Turkey Point Nuclear Generation Station east of Homestead.
Florida EnergySecure Line
Richard Montgomery attended a meeting with Florida Power and Light (FPL) last week to discuss the company’s Florida EnergySecure Line project. The $1.5 billion, 3o0-mile natural gas pipeline is proposed to be constructed in easte Florida stretching from Palm Beach County in the south to Bradford County in the north. FMPA will continue discussions with FPL to monitor the project.
Cane Island Unit 4
FMPA’s Project Development Department and Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) staff involved with Cane Island Unit 4 attended a safety orientation hosted by Zachry last Friday at Cane Island Power Park. The orientation qualifies participants to enter the project construction site. Also, representatives from FMPA, KUA and Zachry met for a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission accounting meeting last Wednesday to review and agree on a standardized process for project accounting.
Remembering Bob Williams
Don’t forget to sign the online memory book for Bob Williams on Legacy.com. Legacy.com provides an opportunity for friends and family to pay tribute and celebrate the lives of loved ones. The site address is http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/robertwilliams/Homepage.aspx.;
THIS WEEK
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee meets Tuesday in the Board room at 11 a.m. to interview financial auditor candidates, including Virchow Krause and Company and Purvis Gray and Company. One of the firms will be recommended to serve as the Agency’s independent auditor. Contact: Rich Popp
ARP Rate Workshop
ARP Executive Committee members meet by conference call Wednesday at 2 p.m. for the monthly rate workshop. Participants will hear updates on natural gas markets and liquidity, and the group will discuss loads, costs and rate calculations for April. Staff will also present estimated rate ranges for May through July. To view the agenda package and obtain the dial-in information, visit the 2009 agenda packages section on the Members Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
Chair Committee
The Chair Committee meets Thursday via conference call at 8:30 a.m. to finalize the contract for Nick Guarriello to serve as FMPA’s permanent General Manager and CEO. The contract will be presented to the Board of Directors at its meeting on May 21.
All-Requirements Project Load
The All-Requirements Project’s peak for the month of April was 1032 megawatts, which occurred April 24 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Load factor is a measurement that compares the ratio of actual energy (MWh) used during a particular time period versus what would have been consumed if demand was at peak for the entire period. A higher load factor indicates more effective system utilization. The load factor for the All-Requirements Project for the month of April was 68%. The month’s peak was 89.8% of the budgeted peak, and energy was about 95.3% of budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for the month of April is available on the Member Portal. The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph has also been posted on the Member Portal. The graph is updated through May 3. Contact: Jim Atz
Service Anniversaries
Congratulations to Lindsay Wille, who celebrates three years with FMPA on Friday, May 8.
Congratulations to Diane Nelson, who celebrates eight years with FMPA on Saturday, May 9.
COMING UP
Energy Auditors Roundtable
FMPA’s next Energy Auditors Roundtable will be held May 14 in Winter Park at 10 a.m. Participants will discuss conservation programs, industry practices and other topics related to energy audits. Contact: Sharon Samuels
INDUSTRY NEWS
Florida Legislature Adjous
The Florida Legislature adjoued last Friday without passing three energy-related bills. A bill to create a renewable portfolio standard (SB 1154) passed the Senate but never was heard in the House, so it will not become law. A bill authorizing oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico (HB 1219) passed the House but never received a hearing in the Senate, so it will not become law. A bill to extend the appointments of the Florida Energy and Climate Commission (SB 1380) passed the Senate but never was heard in the House, so it will not become law. One utility-related bill that did pass both chambers and awaits Goveor Crist’s signature would add stiffer penalties for utility theft in connection with grow houses for illegal drugs.
Levy County Nuclear Project Schedule Shifted
Progress Energy announced plans last Friday to shift the construction schedule for its Levy County nuclear project. The project’s proposed commercial operation dates of 2016 to 2018 will now be delayed by a minimum of 20 months. The company’s initial schedule called for excavation and foundation preparation work to begin while the combined operating license (COL) was being processed. The COL grants the utility permission to build and operate a new nuclear power plant. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission recently determined the work can not begin until the COL is issued.
Progress Energy Files Customer Cost-Recovery Estimates
Progress Energy filed its 2010 nuclear cost-recovery estimates last Friday with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). The estimate is $6.69 per 1,000 kilowatt hours for residential customers in 2010. This is about half the amount the company is eligible to recover under law, according to Progress Energy. The lower amount is intended to lessen the yearly impact on customers and provide some relief on bills. The PSC is scheduled to make a decision on the cost recovery in October. The costs include expenses for developing a new facility in Levy County, as well as planned improvements to increase the output of the Crystal River nuclear plant by 180 megawatts.
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.