FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
June 4, 2012
LAST WEEK
Business Planning and Budget Committee
FMPA’s Business Planning and Budget Committee met last Thursday via conference call and finalized work on the proposed fiscal 2013 budgets. The Committee approved and recommended the Agency and All-Requirements Project budgets to the Executive Committee for final approval. The Committee also approved and recommended the other power supply project budgets and the Agency allocation to the Board of Directors for final approval. Contact: Mark Larson
Finance Meetings
The Finance Department met last Thursday via teleconference with representatives from its bond underwriters, credit banks, bond counsel, swap consultant and underwriter’s counsel to discuss the order of events and actions needed for the St. Lucie and Stanton II project financings that were discussed with FMPA’s Board of Directors and project participants in March and April. Due to transaction complexities, FMPA is focusing on opportunities for St. Lucie and Stanton II and holding on financings for the Stanton and Tri-City projects. The Finance Team will present its recommendations to project participants this summer and hopes to complete the St. Lucie and Stanton II transactions by the end of August. A schedule of activities for the Stanton and Tri-City financings has not been set. Contact: Mark Larson
All-Requirements Project Workshop
Mark McCain and Bud Boudreaux attended an All-Requirements Project workshop last Tuesday with the Ocala City Council. Topics of discussion included: 1) FMPA’s history, 2) the All-Requirements Project, and 3) current issues. The city’s newest Council member, Jay Musleh, is planning to attend a future ARP Executive Committee meeting and tour the Cane Island Power Park.
Siefert Resigns
Mike Siefert submitted his resignation last week as FMPA’s Member Services Manager effective June 15. Mike has accepted a position with a joint action agency in Missouri where he can be closer to his family. We wish him success in his new employment after 26 years of service to Florida’s public power utilities. Mark McCain will assume management of the department until a replacement is named.
All-Requirements Project May Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s peak for May was 1,093 MW, which occurred May 25 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. The project’s load factor for May was 67%. 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 97% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 98% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for the month of May is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
THIS WEEK
Member City Visit
Nick Guarriello and Bud Boudreaux travel to Kissimmee on Tuesday for a member city visit with Kissimmee Utility Authority President and General Manager Jim Welsh and KUA Board Secretary Dr. George Gant.
Human Resources Roundtable
FMPA hosts a Human Resources Roundtable on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Board room. Participants will discuss a variety of topics, including benefits, recruiting, employee retention, training, policies and more. The roundtable will also be available via teleconference for those who are unable to attend in person. Contact: Mike Siefert
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, FST and liquidity, 2) an overview of May operations, loads, costs and rate calculations, and 3) estimated rates for June through August. Contact: Jim Atz
All-Requirements Project Weekly Load Statistics
The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph has been posted on the Member Portal. The graph is updated through June 3. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Steve Ruppel, who celebrates 14 years with FMPA on Friday, June 8.
Congratulations to Jim Hay, who celebrates 10 years with FMPA on Sunday, June 10.
COMING UP
NAESB Workshop
FMPA’s Regulatory Compliance Department will host a North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) workshop for Florida Municipal Power Pool participants on June 12 at 8 a.m. in the Board room. Topics will include an in-depth review of NAESB standards conceing commercial aspects of buying and selling electric power and transmission. Contact: Frank Gaffney
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors will meet June 14 at 9 a.m. in the Board room. Contact: Nick Guarriello
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee will meet June 14 in the Board room at 9:30 a.m. or immediately following the Board of Directors meeting. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Joint Purchase Project
FMPA’s Joint Purchase Project will meet June 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the first-floor conference room. Contact: Sharon Samuels
INDUSTRY NEWS
Senate confirms Clark and Norris for FERC
The U.S. Senate on May 24 confirmed the nomination of Tony Clark to fill a vacant seat on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and approved a new five-year term for Commissioner John Norris. Clark fills the vacancy created by the departure of Marc Spitzer last year. Clark’s term runs through June 2016 and Norris’ term ends June 2017.
PSC Hearings Begin on FPL’s $690 Million Rate Increase
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) began a series of nine public hearings last Thursday for customers of Florida Power & Light (FPL). In March, FPL filed a request with the PSC for a $690.4 million base rate increase that is projected to increase residential customer bills by about 3% in 2013. FPL is requesting a base rate increase of $7.09 per month for customers using 1,000 kWh. Offset by adjustments to fuel and other charges, the actual 2013 net increase per 1,000 kWh is projected to be $1.41 per month. If approved, the increases for retail customers would begin Jan. 1. FPL says the base rate increase is needed to pay for increases in the cost of doing business and to begin paying for a new natural gas power plant in Cape Canaveral after it enters service in June 2013. The rate increase case is scheduled for a vote by the PSC in November.
Utilities Honor Fallen Lineman
Lineman and utility personnel from Alachua, Bartow, Beaches Energy Services, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Gainesville Regional Utilities, JEA, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Lakeland Electric, Lake Worth, Orlando Utilities Commission, Tallahassee and Tampa Electric, as well as representatives from Altec and Ring Power Corporation, attended the funeral last Thursday of Ocala Utility Services lineman Timothy Beard, who died May 25 while working to repair an electric transformer. Beard was an employee with Ocala for more than 11 years. In 2009, he completed a four-year program to become a lineman apprentice. In 2006 and 2008, Beard competed in the Florida Lineman’s Competition and finished first in the state. He also was an active participate in FMPA’s lineman’s roundtables. Beard is survived by his wife, Julie, and one daughter. The Florida Lineworker Assistance Fund, through the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), is accepting donations to provide assistance for the family. To donate, contact Brenda Thompson at FMEA.
Nationwide Scam Targets Electric Customers
Utilities in several states, including Florida, waed electric customers last week to be aware of a scam to steal identities and utility payments. Kissimmee Utility Authority and Florida Power & Light reported that the scam tells customers that President Obama has approved special funding for utility bill assistance. There is no such funding. Through automated phone calls, door-to-door visits and online solicitation, the scammers are asking customers for personal information, such as social security numbers, credit card numbers and bank routing information. They then provide victims with a fraudulent bank routing number with which to pay their utility bills. The American Public Power Association said that victims have been reported so far in Califoia, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas and Florida.
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 Jane Stewart 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 Jane Stewart
Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
http://www.fmpa.com;
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