FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Nov. 16, 2009
LAST WEEK
Fitch Affirms FMPA Credit Ratings
Fitch Ratings announced credit ratings last week for $61 million of revenue bonds for various FMPA projects and affirmed the existing ratings of the Agency’s outstanding power supply debt. FMPA’s All-Requirements, Stanton, Tri-City and Stanton II projects maintained “A+ ratings, and the St. Lucie Project maintained an “A rating. The outlook for all projects was noted as stable. Fitch commented that positive developments, including expiration of fuel hedging contracts and renewal of the All-Requirements Project’s line of credit with Wachovia, have eased near-term financial pressures. Fitch said it will monitor the long-term implications of FMPA’s relationship with its members, including some members’ decision to cap their load requirements or exercise the option not to renew their contracts. Fitch believes that the current credit impact of these actions is limited and notes the strength of the All-Requirements contract. Fitch also said it expects some of the member tension to abate as FMPA’s cost of power begins to decline and more closely resembles regional prices. Preliminary official statements for the upcoming bond issuances will be printed Tuesday. Contact: Mark Larson
ARP Business Model Working Group
The ARP Business Model Working Group met last Thursday with representatives of two joint action agencies. Marc Gerken from American Municipal Power and Steve Jackson from MEAG Power presented information about the business structures of their respective agencies and answered questions from FMPA members. The Working Group’s next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16 to discuss demand-side management and will be held jointly with the Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Economic Stimulus Work Group
The Economic Stimulus Work Group met by conference call last Friday. The Group discussed a draft Request for Proposals issued by the State Energy Office for the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds and discussed which cities planned to apply. FMEA and FMPA are working on drafting application templates for projects identified by the members. Contact: Mike Siefert or Sharon Smeenk
St. Lucie Project Financing
Mark Larson, Janet Davis, Kristi Knight, Ed Nunez and FMPA Financial Advisor Craig Dunlap met with representatives from PNC Bank and Regions Bank last week to discuss financing options for the St. Lucie Project.
CR3 Outage Update
The Crystal River Unit 3 nuclear plant refueling outage continues on budget toward a Dec. 23 on-line date. The team investigating the root cause of a concrete crack in the containment building is scheduled to complete its work this week. A repair plan has been completed and engineering procedures are being developed to implement it. The two new steam generators were placed inside the containment building last week, and pipe welding to the new generators will continue this week. Contact: David Schumann
Risk Link
FMPA’s Risk Management Department published a new issue of “Risk Link last week on the Member Portal. The bi-monthly newsletter communicates risk management concepts to members and staff and provides updates on FMPA’s risk management activities. This issue features: 1) an overview of how FMPA uses inteal control to meet goals, 2) a description of tools the Department uses to manage risk, 3) a spotlight on the Treasury Department, 4) an update on FMPA’s state of risk, and 5) a review of risk in the news. To read the issue, visit the Audit and Risk section on the Portal.
THIS WEEK
IT Steering Committee
FMPA’s IT Steering Committee meets Tuesday to discuss recommendations from the Protiviti audit and the KPMG report. Following the meeting, members of the Committee will tour FMPA’s collocation facility. Contact: Carter Manucy
Cane Island Unit 4
Zachry Industrial Incorporated, the construction contractor for Cane Island Unit 4, sponsors a NASCAR Truck Series race team. Driver David Starr visits the Cane Island Power Park on Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. to meet project employees and give them a look at the truck. In other news, Zachry has volunteered to “adopt Highway 17-92 from just west of Intercession City to just east of Poinciana Blvd. Volunteers will collect trash on Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. Zachry will provide transportation from the plant, safety gear, equipment and refreshments. Contact: Steve Carroll
Energy Auditors Roundtable
FMPA’s hosts an Energy Auditor Roundtable Wednesday in the Board Room at 10 a.m. The roundtable will provide a forum for Energy Auditors to discuss work procedures and policies, industry changes, equipment and other topics of interest. Contact: Sharon Samuels
General Manager Visits Fort Meade
Nick Guarriello travels to Fort Meade on Wednesday to present a luncheon speech at the Chamber of Commerce. He will discuss FMPA, rates and what FMPA is doing to retu to rate competitiveness.
Member System Visit
Bud Boudreaux visits New Smya Beach on Wednesday to meet with Tim Beyrle.
ARP Executive Committee: Cancelled
The November meeting of the ARP Executive Committee, originally scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m., has been cancelled. The next Executive Committee meeting will be held Dec. 3 at 12:30 p.m.
Purchasing Roundtable
FMPA’s annual Purchasing Roundtable will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at Kissimmee Utility Authority. Participants will discuss work procedures and policies, industry changes and other topics of interest. Contact: Sharon Samuels
RCRA DOT Training
FMPA will hold Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) annual and refresher training Friday in the first floor conference room. The one-day course covers a variety of topics, including: 1) general provisions of DOT training requirements, 2) hazardous materials, 3) specific requirements for electric utility hazmat employees, 4) emergency response information, and 5) accident prevention methods and procedures. Contact: Mike Siefert
Member Portal Spotlight: Staff Directory
Have you ever found yourself needing more information about FMPA but were unsure of who to contact? FMPA’s Public Relations Department maintains a staff directory on the Member Portal. Members can use the list to obtain contact information for all Agency employees. This tool is intended to facilitate board-staff communication, part of FMPA’s strategic plan. Contact: Diane Nelson
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 Nov. 15. Contact: Jim Atz
COMING UP
Compliance Workshop
FMPA will host two sessions of a compliance workshop Dec. 7 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to noon in the Board room. The workshop will also be webcast for those who cannot attend. Space in the Board room is limited, so contact Cara Gowan today to reserve your seat.
NESC Summary of Change Proposals Workshop
FMPA will host an electric utility safety workshop Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Agency. The course, entitled “NESC-2012 Summary of Change Proposals, is designed to review the 2012 National Electric Safety Code (NESC) change proposals and to develop comments as required from the attendees. Visit