FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Sept. 13, 2010
LAST WEEK
DSM Task Force
The Demand Side Management (DSM) Reporting Task Force held its first conference call last Thursday. Participants discussed the development of draft reporting guidelines for the Task Force. The next meeting will be scheduled near the end of September. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Credit Review
Members of FMPA’s Finance Division have been meeting with representatives from Wachovia to answer questions about FMPA’s finances as part of the bank’s normal credit review process. Finance is also working toward refinancing the building loan for FMPA’s Orlando office by the end of the month. Contact: Janet Davis
Joint Purchase Project
The Joint Purchase Project met last Thursday and approved a re-bid for meters and for wire and cable. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Wanted: Your Feedback on the Member Portal
Having trouble finding something on the Member Portal? Have a suggestion on how we can make the Portal even better? FMPA wants to know. Contact Diane Nelson, or if you prefer, complete the online feedback form to let us know how we can make the Portal better.
THIS WEEK
ECAP Development Team
The Electricity Conservation Advisory Program (ECAP) meeting scheduled for Monday at 9 a.m. has been cancelled. The meeting will be scheduled at a later date. The objective of ECAP is to communicate with retail customers during times of peak energy usage to encourage customers to voluntarily reduce energy consumption. Interested cities are welcome to join the development effort. Contact: Mark McCain
ARP Business Model Working Group
The All-Requirements Project Business Model Working Group (BMWG) meets Tuesday in the Board room at 10 a.m. The BMWG will discuss: 1) ARP rate structure, 2) demand side management, 3) NERC criteria for demand side management, and 4) a report on the group’s activities to date.
Member City Visits
Bud Boudreaux and Mark McCain visit Moore Haven and Clewiston on Wednesday and Lake Worth and Fort Pierce on Thursday.
Utility Education & Trade Show Days
Mike Siefert will attend Florida Municipal Electric Association’s Utility Education & Trade Show Days this Wednesday in Gainesville. The event brings together professionals from the energy industry for top-notch speakers and a review of the latest in utility products and services. Topics covered will include customer service, safety and training, transmission and distribution and lineworker skills.
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 Sept. 12. Contact: Jim Atz
Service Anniversaries
Congratulations to Nick Guarriello, who celebrates one year with FMPA on Thursday, Sept. 16.
COMING UP
Project Management Workshop Cancelled
The Fundamentals of Effective Project Management workshop planned for Oct. 13 and 14 has been cancelled. Contact: Mike Siefert
Health Benefits and Labor and Employment Law Workshop
FMPA hosts a workshop on Current Developments in Health Benefits and Labor and Employment Law on Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The workshop is designed for all utility personnel who need to understand and implement the new Affordable Care Act including human resources staff, utility managers, utility directors and city managers. The cost for the one-day course is $150 per person. If you plan to attend this workshop, please complete the
Professional Development Hours for Engineers
FMPA is interested in partnering with the University of Florida’s Center for Training, Research and Education for Environmental Occupations to host a training session on rules and laws for Florida engineers. The course would provide professional development hours for professional engineers. User names and passwords have been purchased for members interested in taking the course. Contact: Mike Siefert
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INDUSTRY NEWS
FPL Gets Green Light on $31 Million in Nuclear Costs
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) request to charge $31 million to customers next year for nuclear costs. The cost to customers will be approximately 33 cents per 1,000 kilowatt-hours. During the meeting, the PSC retreated from a recent decision to require FPL executives to answer questions on costs before approving them. A subpoena for FPL President Armando Olivera to answer questions about whether or not the utility provided outdated information to regulators is no longer valid because the PSC voted to delay a full hearing on nuclear costs until next year. They also approved an agreement between FPL and consumer groups that will allow FPL to pass nuclear costs onto customers in 2011 before the full hearing. Commissioners Argenziano and Skop, whose terms end in January, dissented with the ruling.
Electric Co-ops Launch Nationwide Smart Grid Demonstration Project
The U.S. Department of Energy approved a $33.9 million matching grant last week for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to launch a nationwide demonstration project deploying more than 153,000 smart grid components through 19 electric cooperatives. Electric distribution cooperatives will evaluate benefits that could increase efficiency and improve service. Co-ops will also test new programs that help consumers manage electric bills. According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, electric co-ops advanced metering penetration has increased from 3.6% in 2006 to 16.4% in 2008, well above the industry as a whole.
DOE Pledges $1.1 billion for FutureGen 2.0
The Department of Energy (DOE) pledged $1.1 billion last month for “FutureGen 2.0, what the Obama administration hopes will become a global demonstration of technologies for carbon capture and sequestration from coal-buing power plants. The project aims to retrofit an oil-fired plant in Meredosia, Ill., with oxycombustion technology that would bu coal in an enriched oxygen environment and then capture 90% of carbon dioxide emissions in condensed water so it can be stored underground. The funding pledge makes this the third iteration of the FutureGen project since it was originally proposed under the Bush administration in 2003. Matt Rogers, DOE senior advisor on stimulus funding, said, “What makes FutureGen 2.0 different from the rest is it has $1 billion that has already been approved. Of the 178 carbon capture and sequestration demonstration projects underway around the world, only two are oxycombustion projects.
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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 Lance Larsson 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 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: Lance Larsson or Diane Nelson
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