FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Jan. 11, 2010
LAST WEEK
Member Relations Survey
FMPA has kicked-off planning of its 2010 Member Relations Survey. The Member Relations Survey was previously known as FMPA’s Member Satisfaction Survey, but it was renamed this year to more accurately reflect its focus on measuring and enhancing the relationship between members and staff. As a member-owned organization, the relationship between members and staff is essential to our mutual success. In fact, the members designated “fostering a positive communication culture as one of five major strategic goals and approved conducting this survey as an action item to reach that goal. FMPA has conducted the survey every two years since 2000. We plan to ask questions in the 2010 survey that are similar to questions asked in previous surveys for comparative purposes. However, we are reviewing the survey questions for possible enhancements. If you have suggestions related to the questionnaire, please contact Diane Nelson as soon as possible. FMPA hopes to launch the survey in early-February.
Cane Island Unit 4 Heavy-Haul Delivery
Two 100-ton generator step-up transformers were transported to the Cane Island Power Park last Thursday and placed onto the foundation at the Unit 4 construction site.
Cold Weather Leads to High ARP Peak
The All-Requirements Project’s peak demand reached 1,408 megawatts in the hour between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 11. This appears to be an all-time peak for the 14 current All-Requirements member systems. Additional analysis will be done later this week to verify if the peak is a record. The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph has been posted on the Member Portal. The graph is updated through 9 a.m. on Jan. 11. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for the month of December was also posted last week on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
St. Lucie Unit 2 Downpower
St. Lucie Unit 2 was running at 48% power early last Friday, down from full capacity early Thursday, reported Reuters. Unit 1 reportedly continued to run at full power. FMPA awaits more information from the plant’s operator, Florida Power and Light, on the cause of the reduction in power output.
ARP Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee met last Friday via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements rate workshop. The workshop agenda package is now posted on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
Safety Training Program
The city of Blountstown recently joined FMPA’s safety training program. The program currently has 12 cities participating. Contact: Mike Siefert
PGP Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of Public Gas Partners (PGP) agreed to recommend that PGP’s Board of Directors renew the agency’s audit contract with Est & Young. The Audit Committee was very satisfied with Est & Young’s audit of PGP’s fiscal 2009 financials. Contact: Mark Larson
THIS WEEK
Solar Photovoltaic Demonstration Project Update
Representatives from the Florida Solar Energy Center will be in Key West, Fla., on Monday to verify the installation and operation of the new solar photovoltaic demonstration project. Also, representatives from FMPA, Keys Energy Services and the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center will meet by conference call on Tuesday to kick-off planning a dedication event for the project. Contact: Sharon Smeenk, Jim Hay or Diane Nelson
Peer Review
Representatives from FMPA, the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) and five municipal electric utilities visit Lake Worth this week to conduct a peer review of the city’s customer service operations. FMPA’s peer review program allows a municipal electric utility to request an independent review of its policies, procedures and practices in specific functional areas. The review is conducted by a group of subject-matter experts from municipal systems around Florida. Coordination between FMPA’s Member Services Department and FMEA is part of FMPA’s Strategic Plan. Contact: Mike Siefert.
Conservation Program Quarterly Reports
All-Requirements Project members are reminded to retu their quarterly reports to document ARP Conservation Program efforts between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. Reports are due Friday. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Member Portal Spotlight: Strategic Plan
One of FMPA’s most important documents, the Strategic Plan, is posted on the FMPA Member Portal for quick, convenient access any time. Review the Agency’s mission, vision and values statement, read the list of goals and strategies and look at the action plan to implement the Board’s strategies.
COMING UP
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
FMPA’s offices will be closed next Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
New Training: Emission Standards for Inteal Combustion Engines
FMPA hosts a two-hour webinar Jan. 20 at 2 p.m., called “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Inteal Combustion Engines–Proposed Rule. The webinar, which will be led by a consultant from R.W. Beck, provides a regulatory update to operators of this type of generation. Contact: Mike Siefert
INDUSTRY NEWS
FERC Outlines 2010 Enforcement Priorities
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will focus its enforcement efforts this year on four areas: fraud and market manipulation; serious violations of reliability standards; anticompetitive conduct; and conduct that threatens transparency in regulated markets. Agency staff outlined the priorities in a www.ferc.govhttp://www.ferc.gov/legal/staff-reports/12-17-09-enforcement.pdf>www.ferc.gov;.
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 Skye Guthrie or Diane Nelson 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: Skye Guthrie or Diane Nelson