FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
July 16, 2012
LAST WEEK
Energy Oxidation Catalyst Project
FMPA received statements of qualification last Tuesday from three contractors for an energy oxidation catalyst project at the Stock Island Generating Facility in Key West. FMPA is reviewing these qualifications and plans to extend bids to qualified contractors soon. Contact: Jim Hay
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Thursday and approved documents and activities related to financing for the St. Lucie and Stanton II projects. The Board now moves forward with the process of issuing bonds for St. Lucie and Stanton II and will be called to take initial action in mid-August. The Board also recognized Fort Pierce Board representative Tom Richards, who retired last Friday from Fort Pierce Utilities Authority. Tom was a valued contributor to FMPA and the All-Requirements Project for more than 20 years, serving as an officer of FMPA’s Board and committees. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Fort Pierce Board and ARP Executive Committee Representative
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) Director of Utilities Bill Thiess has been appointed as FPUA’s new representative on FMPA’s Board of Directors and the ARP Executive Committee. Bill replaces Tom Richards, who retired from FPUA last Friday. FPUA Director of Electric and Gas Systems Bill Baldwin will serve as the alteate.
Cane Island Unit 4
Cane Island Unit 4 came back online last Saturday after undergoing warranty repairs to the unit’s steam turbine. The unit was taken offline Feb. 25 for a planned outage and was expected to retu online in March. The high pressure section of the steam turbine was removed for inspection and repair. After examination, GE determined that the high pressure section needed to be shipped to Maine for repair. The repaired steam turbine has been installed and the unit will undergo testing this week. Contact: David Schumann
THIS WEEK
Member City Visits
Bud Boudreaux and Mark McCain travel to Winter Park on Monday to meet with Director of Electric Utility Jerry Warren. On Thursday, Bud and Fred Bryant travel to Bushnell to meet with City Manager Vince Ruano and Mayor and Policy Maker Liaison Committee representative Bil Spaude.
Interim Audit
FMPA’s independent auditors, Purvis Gray and Company, begins the interim audit this week at FMPA’s Orlando office. The interim audit is designed to help prepare for FMPA’s annual audit, which takes place at the end of this fiscal year. The auditors will review the Agency’s financial information, as well as financials for FMPA’s power supply projects. Contact: Rick Minch
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 July 15. Contact: Jim Atz
COMING UP
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee will meet July 26 at 3 p.m. during the FMEA-FMPA Annual Conference in Ponte Vedra Beach. A quorum is required for this meeting to conduct annual election of officers. The agenda package is posted on the Member Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors will meet July 27 at 9 a.m. in Ponte Vedra Beach following the FMEA-FMPA Annual conference. Contact: Nick Guarriello
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee will meet July 27 at 9:30 a.m. or immediately following the Board of Directors meeting. The meeting will take place in Ponte Vedra Beach following the FMEA-FMPA Annual Conference. Contact: Nick Guarriello
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee will meet Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project rate workshop. Contact: Jim Atz
Human Resources Roundtable
FMPA will host a Human Resources Roundtable on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. in the Board room. The roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss topics, such as benefits, recruiting, employee retention, training, policies and more. Lunch will be provided, and http://www.fmpa.com/index.php/component/registrationpro/?view=event&did=46>registration; is requested. Participation in the roundtable via teleconference will be available for those unable to attend in person. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
INDUSTRY NEWS
NRC Approves St. Lucie Unit 1 Uprate
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) request last Monday to increase the power output of St. Lucie Unit 1. The power uprate will increase the plant’s generating capacity by 15% to 982 MW from 853 MW, the NRC said. The NRC determined that FPL could safely increase the reactor’s power output by upgrading several plant systems, including feedwater pumps and the high-pressure turbine. The company plans to implement the uprate within the next few months. FPL spokesman Peter Robbins said the St. Lucie Unit 1 improvements are part of a 490-MW increase being implemented at its St. Lucie and Turkey Point nuclear plants. The total cost is estimated at $2.95 billion to $3.15 billion. The NRC has approved uprates for Turkey Point Units 3 and 4, and St. Lucie Unit 2 is in the approval process, Robbins said.
OUC Proposes Lowering Rates for Second Time This Year
Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) staff proposed last Tuesday to cut its monthly electricity charge for a second time this year. OUC officials said a 4.8% reduction in the base rate for residential customers was proposed, along with a 2.8% reduction for large businesses, in response to inteal cost-cutting initiatives and budget reductions. If approved, a residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month will pay $109.43, a decrease of $5.57. The Commission will vote on the rate reduction at its Aug. 21 meeting. If approved, the new rates will take effect Oct. 1.
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 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 Jane Stewart
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Tel 407 355-7767
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