FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
September 8, 2009
LAST WEEK
FMPA Launches Redesigned Web Site
FMPA launched a redesigned Web site last week, featuring improvements in content and functionality. Highlights of the site improvements include enhanced navigation, a new meeting calendar format, and news feeds. The re-launch of FMPA.com completes a comprehensive update of FMPA’s online communications. During the past year and a half, FMPA has redesigned four Web sites, including: 1) InSite, FMPA’s employee intranet, 2) the FMPA Member Portal, 3) FMPA’s new employee orientation site, and 4) FMPA.com. The Agency also created two new Web sites: 1) a careers site that promotes employment at FMPA and its member cities, and 2) a Web site that profiles FMPA’s environmental initiative. The Web sites were created cost-effectively by using in-house resources and an open-source software platform. Special thanks to the team that completed the sites: Bree Balchunas, Jeff Hanson and Manny Santos.
Business Model Working Group
The ARP Business Model Working Group met last Tuesday at OUC’s Pershing Dispatch Center to review the Florida Municipal Power Pool (FMPP) contract. Tom Washbu, FMPP Executive Director, gave the group an overview of the Pool’s operations and fielded questions. The ARP Business Model Working Group will meet again Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. in the FMPA Board room. The meeting will begin with a review of the group’s preliminary conclusions regarding FMPP and will continue with a discussion of fuel hedging. Contact: Sue Utley
All-Requirements Project Conservation Program Roundtable
All-Requirements Project participants took part in a Conservation Program Roundtable last Thursday. Twelve participants from 10 member cities discussed their cities’ current conservation programs, the energy conservation DVD project and future opportunities for the ARP Conservation Program. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Emissions Testing at Cane Island
All three units at Cane Island Power Park successfully completed annual emissions testing last week. Contact: David Schumann
NERC Compliance Audit
Doug Smith visited Lake Worth last week to assist with the utility’s North American Electric Reliability Corporation audit. Lake Worth performed well on the audit and sent a letter of commendation expressing appreciation for Doug’s efforts.
Member Services Survey
FMPA launched an online survey last week to evaluate existing member services and solicit ideas for new services. The survey is part of FMPA’s member-approved action plan to achieve the strategic goal of optimizing member services. The online survey takes about 15 minutes to 20 minutes to complete, and responses will be accepted through Sept. 30. register” rel=”nofollow”>http://www.fmpa.com/index.php?option=com_registrationpro&view=event&Itemid=66&did=3>register online as soon as possible to reserve your seat at this popular event. All-Requirements 101 is a one and one-half day free seminar designed to give participants a thorough understanding of FMPA’s largest wholesale power supply project, All-Requirements. The seminar will be presented Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. For more information and to register, visit” rel=”nofollow”>http://www.fmpa.com/index.php?option=com_registrationpro&view=event&Itemid=66&did=4>visit FMPA’s Web site. Contact: Sharon Samuels
INDUSTRY NEWS
Lawmakers Slow Down on Climate Change Bill
The expected release of the Senate climate change bill has been pushed back from early September to late September, according to the bill’s co-sponsors, Sens. John Kerry and Barbara Boxer. A target date of Sept. 8 was originally set for unveiling a draft bill based on the House-passed version with some changes. Senate committee revisions were predicted to be complete by Sept. 28. Whether the committee will stick with the three-week schedule after the postponement remains to be seen.
PSC to Conduct Nuclear Cost Recovery Hearing
The Florida Public Service Commission will conduct a hearing on nuclear cost recovery beginning Tuesday in Tallahassee. The hearing will examine costs related to the construction of Florida Power and Light’s Turkey Point Units 6 and 7 and Progress Energy Florida’s Levy Units 1 and 2.
NRC Issues Early Site Permit for Georgia Nuclear Plant
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an early site permit and limited work authorization Aug. 26 for two new nuclear reactors at the Vogtle plant owned by Southe Co., MEAG Power, Oglethorpe Power Corp and Dalton, Ga., Utilities. The limited work authorization allows the companies to begin preliminary construction work at the site. Southe’s separate application for a combined construction and operating license for the two new 1,100-MW units at the Waynesboro, Ga., plant remains pending before the NRC. The companies are aiming to have the new units operational by 2016 and 2017.
Missouri Utilities Call for Changes to Climate Bill
Missouri’s electric service providers, including cooperatives, municipals, and investor-owned utilities, joined together to recommend changes to the Waxman-Markey climate bill, H.R. 2454, passed by the House. A joint analysis by the utilities shows that the legislation would cause Missourians to pay rate increases averaging between 12% and 26% starting in 2012 and possibly as high as 50% should utilities be forced to switch from coal to natural gas for a significant portion of their fuel. The projected increases would be in addition to any other rate increases “for higher costs of fuel, additional or improved emission control devices, increased costs of transmission and distribution, etc., the utilities said in an Aug. 31 letter to members of Congress. More than 80% of electricity produced in the state comes from coal, compared with a national average of about 50%, the utilities said.
FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA’s Public Relations Department for all employees of the Agency. Questions or comments about this newsletter may be directed to Diane Nelson or Skye Guthrie.
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