FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Oct. 11, 2010
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LAST WEEK
Public Power Week
Last week was National Public Power Week, and several FMPA members took advantage of this opportunity to communicate the story of public power while building relationships with their communities. Kissimmee Utility Authority celebrated both Public Power Week and the utility’s 25th anniversary with a calendar art contest, a commemorative photo and an outdoor Latin music festival. The city of Homestead celebrated with a community picnic featuring food, music, demonstrations and information on how to conserve electricity and save money. Homestead Energy Services also sponsored a poster contest for local students, with savings bonds awarded to winners. Photos from these Public Power Week events are available on the Member Portal. Thank you to everyone who participated in this important annual event.
ECG Survey
FMPA sent a survey to members last week to gauge interest in services offered by Electric Cities of Georgia. Thank you to all the respondents, whose opinions will be summarized into a report and presented to the Executive Committee on Oct. 28. Contact: Mike Siefert
Finance Conference
Mark Larson attended the J.P. Morgan Public Power and Gas Conference last week in New York City. The conference gathered bond issuers and investors together to discuss topics of interest. Participants heard presentations on clean energy, climate issues, current energy legislation and Build America Bonds.
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THIS WEEK
Member City Visits
Bud Boudreaux and Fred Bryant travel to Havana on Monday, Chattahoochee on Tuesday and Quincy on Wednesday for member city visits. They also will visit with Barry Moline at the Florida Municipal Electric Association on Tuesday.
Cane Island Unit 4
Representatives from FMPA, Kissimmee Utility Authority and Zachry meet on Tuesday for the monthly Cane Island owners meeting. Contact: Steve Carroll
ARP Quarterly Conservation Fund Reminder
Quarterly reports for the All-Requirements Project Conservation Program are due Friday. The reports document energy conservation efforts from July 1 through Sept. 30. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
DSM Task Force
Tuesday is the deadline for Demand Side Management (DSM) Task Force participants to review draft report forms. The forms and a recommended reporting process will be presented to the Executive Committee on Oct. 28. Additional DSM Task Force meetings will be scheduled, if necessary, after the Executive Committee meeting. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
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 Oct. 10. Contact: Jim Atz
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COMING UP
Lineman’s Roundtable
FMPA holds its semi-annual Lineman’s roundtable Oct. 21 in Jacksonville Beach. The roundtable will provide a forum for line crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools and equipment. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee is scheduled to meet Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. Participants will elect a new committee Vice Chair and discuss other information items. An agenda package will be e-mailed to participants the week before the meeting. Contact: Mark McCain
Clean Air Act Issues Update
Air regulations related to the electric utility industry continue to change and evolve. To assist FMPA members in understanding the requirements and potential impact of air regulations, FMPA is hosting a Clean Air Act Issues Update on Nov. 10. The workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to ask questions about site specific impacts and exchange practical information with other FMPA member utilities. Contact: Mike Siefert
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Reid, Dorgan Support FERC Proposal on Transmission Cost Allocation
U.S. Senators Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., offered support for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) proposed rulemaking on transmission planning and cost allocation. In a joint Sept. 29 letter, the senators said they “are encouraged by the commission’s recognition of the broad benefits of transmission and the commission’s balance of charging costs with benefits while ensuring those who do not benefit do not pay. Reid and Dorgan also said the proposed rule takes a major step in clarifying cost allocation. The proposed rule would require regional transmission planning and directs planners to consider public policy issues, such as development of renewable resources.
Kissimmee Utility Authority Receives APPA Award
Eleven public power utilities received awards in the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) 2010 Annual Report Contest. Forty-two digital and print entries in four categories were evaluated by a panel of judges representing the media, public relations and graphic design fields. Kissimmee Utility Authority’s 2009 annual report received an Award of Excellence in Class C for utilities with gross revenues of $75 million to $200 million.
Former DEP Secretary to Work for FPL
Former Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Mike Sole was named last week as a new vice president of state and govemental affairs for Florida Power & Light (FPL). Sole, who stepped down from DEP in August, had a visible role in the state’s response to the Gulf Oil Spill. He will now work with FPL’s Tallahassee office to lobby the executive and legislative branches on the utility’s behalf.
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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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