FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Feb. 14, 2011
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LAST WEEK
Cane Island Unit 4
The steam blow at Cane Island Unit 4 began last Monday and continues this week. As part of Unit 4’s transition from construction to operation, high-pressure steam is being blown through the unit’s pipes to clean the system. The steam blow may last several more days. In other Cane Island news, Orlando television station WFTV Channel 9 reported on the successful first fire test. Aerial footage of the plant captured by Channel 9’s helicopter is available on the Member Portal. Contact: David Schumann
Rooftop Solar RFP Selection
Four of five FMPA members working together on a solar project for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant made a preliminary proposal selection last week. FMPA received proposals from 13 firms to install rooftop solar photovoltaic systems. The cities of Green Cove Springs, Mount Dora, Newberry and Starke selected Solar Source as the preferred vendor, contingent upon each city’s inteal approval process. The city of St. Cloud is in the process of completing its evaluation. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
ARP Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee met last Tuesday via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project rate workshop. The workshop agenda can be reviewed on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
FMPA Member Compliance Checks
As part of FMPA’s inteal compliance program, Doug Smith assisted Jacksonville Beach with its annual NERC standards compliance spot check last week. Doug also participated in a kick-off conference call for Fort Pierce’s annual compliance check, which is currently scheduled for March 21.
Fort Pierce CROD Analysis
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) commissioned an analysis of its option for limiting the amount of capacity and energy purchases from FMPA’s All-Requirements Project. FPUA shared the independent engineering analysis with FMPA and has asked the Agency to comment on the report. The study estimates the impact to FPUA of exercising its contractual option to resume direct delivery of its capacity and energy entitlements from the St. Lucie, Stanton, Tri-City and Stanton II projects and limiting is Contract Rate of Delivery (CROD) from the All-Requirements Project to its power supply needs in excess of its project-specific entitlements. Contact: Tom Reedy
Finance Meetings
Janet Davis participated in a conference call last Monday with J.P. Morgan and FMPA’s bond counsel, Nixon-Peabody, to continue discussions of a letter of credit agreement. The parties are making progress, and talks will continue in the coming weeks. Mark Larson, Janet Davis, Michell Bosch and Ed Nunez also met with Bank of America/Merrill Lynch last Tuesday to discuss future financing needs.
THIS WEEK
FMEA-FMPA Legislative Rally Briefing
FMPA and the Florida Municipal Electric Association host a webinar this Thursday at 10 a.m. for members attending this year’s APPA Legislative Rally. The session will brief participants on legislative issues that will be discussed at the Rally. The webinar will cover issues including EPA oversight, energy policy, comparable tax incentives, cyber security and more. There will be opportunities for participants to ask questions and provide input on the issues. An e-mail invite was sent last week. FMPA encourages all those attending this year’s Rally to RSVP for the webinar as soon as possible. Contact: Ryan Dumas
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 Feb. 13. Contact: Jim Atz
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COMING UP
Energy Depot Users Group
FMPA will host a users group meeting for the Energy Depot Online Energy Audit Program on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. Paul Conlan, the President and CEO of the software provider Enercom, will attend to discuss program improvements with members. Members will also have the opportunity to suggest additional improvements and develop a line of communication with the program provider and each other. FMPA encourages each city that uses Energy Depot to have a representative at the meeting. If you are unable to attend in person but would like to participate by phone, contact Sharon Samuels or Mike Siefert for the teleconference information.
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee meets Thursday, Feb. 24 in the Board room at 9 a.m. An agenda package will be sent to participants this week. Contact: Michelle Pisarri
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Role of Natural Gas to be Highlighted at CEO Roundtable
The American Public Power Association will feature a discussion on whether natural gas is ready to be “the fuel of the future at the annual CEO Roundtable in March. Executives representing the supply and delivery side of natural gas will address the fuel’s reliability, future costs, environmental considerations and questions regarding infrastructure. The Roundtable will feature panelists including President of Shell Energy North America Mark Quartermain and President of Natural Gas and Oil Sales for Marathon Oil Co. David Risser. Former general counsel of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Roger Martella, will discuss EPA’s future plans that impact natural gas and how it might affect public power.
President Proposes Energy Efficiency Initiative for Commercial Buildings
President Obama recently proposed a “Better Buildings Initiative to make commercial buildings more energy efficient by offering tax breaks and other incentives. The program aims to achieve a 20% improvement in energy efficiency in commercial buildings by 2020, which the White House estimates would result in $40 billion in savings for American businesses. The president called on Congress to transform the current tax deduction for commercial building upgrades to a tax credit that is more generous and will encourage building owners to retrofit properties.
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 Ryan Dumas or Lance Larsson.
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