FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Oct. 3, 2011
LAST WEEK
Finklea Named Rising Star of Public Power
FMPA’s Assistant General Counsel and Manger of Legal Affairs Jody Lamar Finklea was named a Rising Star of Public Power by the American Public Power Association (APPA). Jody is one of 60 young public power employees featured in the September issue of APPA’s Public Power magazine. Also recognized are Julio J. Barroso of Keys Energy Services, Neville Bowen of Ocala, Barbara Gonzalez of Kissimmee Utility Authority, Joe Noel of Ocala, and Jeff Surat of Kissimmee Utility Authority.
FPL Transmission Rate Case
FMPA, Florida Power & Light (FPL) and FPL’s other wholesale transmission customers filed a settlement agreement Sept. 23 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding FPL’s cost-of-service formula rate for wholesale transmission service. The agreement’s interim transmission rate went into effect Oct. 1 and includes a reduction of 10 cents per kW/month from the current formula rate of $1.69 per kW/month to $1.59 per kW/month, a savings to the All-Requirements Project (ARP) of approximately $600,000 a year. The new rate is a stated rate and effective until Dec. 31, 2013. The agreement also includes a reduction in the power loss factor from 2.19% to 1.85%, a savings of approximately $500,000 per year to ARP. The settlement agreement is currently in an open-comment period until Oct. 13 and then a 10-day response period. After the response period has closed, FERC is expected to accept the settlement. ARP will receive an estimated $1.3 million refund for transmission services dating back to July 1, 2010. Contact: Michele Jackson
Board Room Audio Visual Design and Installation
FMPA received five responses last week to a Request for Qualifications for professional audio visual design and installation services. The selected firm will work with FMPA to assess and improve the audio visual capabilities of FMPA’s Board of Directors meeting room. Mark Larson, Mark McCain, Jeff Hanson and Jerusha Gibson are reviewing the bids this week and will narrow down the list of candidates. The group hopes to award the bid by Oct. 18. Contact: Mark Larson
Mount Dora Commissions Solar PV System
Mount Dora commissioned the Donnelly Park Building Solar Photovoltaic System and two electric car charging stations last Thursday. Mount Dora, as well as Green Cove Springs, Newberry and Starke, worked with FMPA to receive funding for the projects from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. Mount Dora’s photovoltaic system will produce an average of 7,500 kWh of energy annually and eliminate several metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. The system also has a real-time monitor that teaches park visitors about solar power and its environmental benefits. Photos of the system and electric car charging stations are available on the Member Portal. Contact: Sharon Smeenk or Mike Siefert
KUA Designates new Executive Committee Representative
Kissimmee Utility Authority President and CEO Jim Welsh has designated Larry Matte as the utilities’ representative on the ARP Executive Committee. Jim will serve as the alteate representative and will continue to serve as KUA’s representative on FMPA’s Board of Directors. Contact: Nick Guarriello
THIS WEEK
Public Power Week
Municipal electric utilities all across the nation will celebrate Public Power Week this week. Ocala is handing out compact fluorescent light bulbs and popco in their customer lobby. Kissimmee Utility Authority is holding a community blood drive, a trivia contest, several social media contests, an employee field day, and an employee appreciation luncheon hosted and served by their Board of Directors. What is your utility doing to celebrate? To have your utility’s celebration featured in FMPA Weekly, send your Public Power Week stories to Ryan Dumas or Ashley Henderscheid.
Cyber Security
Carter Manucy, Tom Reedy and Frank Gaffney meet Thursday with Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Keys Energy Services and the Kissimmee Utility Authority to discuss cyber security policies that will help protect FMPA’s generation facilities. Even though cyber security standards for power plants are not yet required by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, FMPA is beginning to implement a program now to protect its generation assets and to assure business continuity when standards become mandatory.
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Thursday at 2 p.m. via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project rate workshop. The agenda includes: 1) an update on natural gas markets and liquidity, 2) an overview of September loads, costs and rate calculations, and 3) estimated rates for October through December. Contact: Jim Atz
ARP Conservation Program
All-Requirements Project members are reminded to submit their quarterly reports documenting ARP Conservation Program efforts between July 1 and Sept. 30. Reports are due Oct 15. The Executive Committee has renewed the Conservation Program for fiscal 2012 and approved a budget of $750,000. To improve data collection and energy savings estimates, the quarterly report form has been updated. Members should use the updated form to report funds distributed from Oct. 1 forward. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Member City Visit
Bud Boudreaux travels to Winter Park on Friday to meet with Electric Utility Director Jerry Warren.
All-Requirements Project Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s peak for September was 1,134 MW, which occurred Sept. 21 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The project’s load factor for Septmber was 70%. Load factor is a ratio of actual energy (MWh) used during the period versus what would have been consumed if demand was at peak for the entire period. A higher load factor indicates more effective system utilization and results in lower average costs. The month’s peak was 96% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 100% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project monthly load for September is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Manny Santos, who celebrates four years with FMPA on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
Congratulations to Jody Finklea, who celebrates 10 years with FMPA on Saturday, Oct. 8.
COMING UP
Safety Compliance Update for Electric Utilities
FMPA will host a National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) compliance update for electric utilities Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. in the Board room. NESC establishes rules for safeguarding people during the installation, operation or maintenance of electric supply and communication line equipment. This workshop will review updates to Part 4 of NESC-2012 including: 1) voltage requirements for arc flash assessments, 2) risk factors to consider when developing an arc flash implementation strategy, and 3) basic methodology for incident energy level calculations on low-voltage systems. http://www.fmpa.com/index.php/component/registrationpro/?view=event&did=14>Registration; is required and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
FMEA Utility Education Days
Florida Municipal Electric Association’s 2011 Utility Education and Trade Show Days are scheduled for Oct. 18 at the Jupiter Beach Hotel and Oct. 19 at the Gainesville Hilton. Registered participants will be able to attend a Smart Grid Solutions Workshop that will run concurrently with the conference. Topics include: 1) an affordable path to smart grid solutions, 2) AMI systems, and 3) how your smart grid project can fund itself. Visit Florida” rel=”nofollow”>http://www.floridaenergysummit.com/index.html>Florida Energy Summit Website for more information.
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
FMPA’s Audit and Risk Oversight Committee will meet Oct. 27 at 8 a.m. in the Board room. Contact: Rich Popp
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee will meet Oct. 27 at 9 a.m. in the Board room. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Lineman’s Roundtable Rescheduled
FMPA’s semi-annual Lineman’s Roundtable has been rescheduled for Nov. 9 at Ocala Utility Services’ Operations Center. The Roundtable was originally scheduled for Oct. 20. http://www.fmpa.com/index.php/component/registrationpro/?view=event&did=37>Registration; is requested and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Underground Distribution Certification
The Underground Distribution Certification program is scheduled for Nov. 8 through Nov. 10 in Adele, Ga. Program information is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Mike Siefert
APPA Smart Grid, Safety and NERC Compliance Symposium
FMPA has agreed to co-host the American Public Power Association’s three upcoming training opportunities at the Orlando Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. APPA’s Smart Grid Summit on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 will discuss topics including cyber security, smart grid standards, smart grid regulations, data management, smart grid benefits and the importance of effective customer communication. In conjunction with the Smart Grid Summit, APPA will hold a National Electrical Safety Code Training on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 that will discuss revisions as well as the origins, purpose and organization of the NESC and its applications to utility transmission and distribution systems. On Nov. 16 and Nov. 17, APPA will hold a NERC Compliance Plan Development Workshop that will provide tools to prepare for NERC audits and help participants understand reliability standards. Information on all three events is available on Public” rel=”nofollow”>http://www.floridapsc.com/publications/pdf/electricgas/Addressing_Florida_Electricity_Prices_Final.pdf>Public Utility Research Center (PURC) study released last Tuesday. Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) requested the study as part of an initiative to find ways to hold down utility rates. PURC reported that natural gas costs about 10 cents per kWh, coal costs about three cents per kWh, and nuclear power has minimal fuel costs but requires a large capital investment. PSC Chairman Art Graham noted Florida’s current fuel mix has its advantages, but said, “It comes with a cost—Florida’s residential customers pay 10% to 20% more than they would in other Southeast states. Documenting the reason for higher prices is an important first step in restraining rates. He cautioned that cost is just one factor to consider in fuel diversity decisions.
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 Ryan Dumas or Ashley Henderscheid This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 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: Ryan Dumas or Ashley Henderscheid
Florida Municipal Power Agency
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Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
http://www.fmpa.com
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