FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Nov. 26, 2012
LAST WEEK
Oxidation Catalyst Project
FMPA reviewed bids last week for the Oxidation Catalyst Project at the Stock Island Generating Facility in Key West and ranked the responses based on 1) contract exceptions, 2) technical aspects, 3) scope of work, and 4) prior experience. FMPA plans to award the engineer, procure and construct (EPC) contract in the coming weeks. Construction is scheduled to begin in early-February and be completed in late-February. Separate from the EPC, FMPA signed a purchase order with VIM Technologies to: 1) upgrade the Continuous Emissions Monitoring System, and 2) upgrade the Data Acquisition and Handling System for Combustion Turbines 1, 2 and 3 and Medium Speed Diesel Units 1 and 2. The new hardware and software will enhance FMPA’s air emissions monitoring capabilities. These upgrades are expected to be completed in January. Contact: David Schumann
3 Phase Times
FMPA’s Power Resources Division published the October 2012 edition of 3 Phase Times last Wednesday. This monthly report provides information about the All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) system peak, hourly loads, resource fuel mix, natural gas usage, natural gas pricing and more performance information. The report shows that in October 40.57 kW of new renewable power generation capacity was added in Leesburg, Kissimmee and Fort Pierce. The total renewable power generation capacity in ARP cities is now 855 kW. For more information, download 3 Phase Times from the Member Portal. Contact: Tom Reedy
THIS WEEK
Meter Technician Certification Program
A Steering Committee consisting of representatives from FMPA’s member cities meets Wednesday at 10 a.m. via conference call to discuss the creation of a meter technician certification program. Contact: Mark McCain
HVAC Upgrade
Statements of Qualification are due Wednesday from engineering firms to act as the owners representative for services related to replacing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) at FMPA’s Orlando office. FMPA issued the Request for Qualifications on Oct. 22. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
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 Nov. 25. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Tom Jones, who celebrates five years with FMPA on Tuesday, Nov. 27.
Congratulations to Amy Deese, who celebrates four years with FMPA on Saturday, Dec. 1.
Congratulations to Ray Platt, who celebrates 12 years with FMPA on Saturday, Dec. 1.
COMING UP
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
FMPA’s Audit and Risk Oversight Committee will meet Dec. 13 in the Board room. Contact: Rich Popp
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors will meet Dec. 13 in the Board room. Contact: Nick Guarriello
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee will meet Dec. 13 in the Board room. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Joint Purchase Project
FMPA’s Joint Purchase Project meets Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. in the first-floor conference room. Contact: Sharon Samuels
INDUSTRY NEWS
PSC to Vote Dec. 13 on FPL Rate Settlement
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is scheduled to vote Dec. 13 on a proposed settlement of Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) rate increase request for 2013. The Commission wrapped up two days of hearings last Tuesday about the settlement. The proposal calls for FPL to collect an additional $378 million from customers through base rates beginning in January. In June, FPL also could begin charging $165 million for costs associated with its modeized $1 billion Cape Canaveral plant. The settlement seeks an additional $236 million in 2014 for its new Riviera Beach plant and an additional $217.9 million in 2016 for its rebuilt Port Everglades plant. It also would authorize a mid-point retu on equity of 10.7%. If the Commission does not approve the settlement, then FPL’s original $690.4 million rate case filed in March will be considered on Jan. 23. The PSC could grant a lower amount in the rate case, but the settlement requires an up or down vote. The Office of Public Counsel has opposed the settlement, saying FPL is attempting to circumvent the Public Counsel, the Florida Legislature and the PSC’s regulatory process.
Senate Fails Again to Pass Cybersecurity Bill
The U.S. Senate failed again to develop support to pass cybersecurity legislation aimed at the electrical grid and other critical industries. A vote Nov. 14 on the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 received only 51 of 60 votes needed to pass. The bill would have provide incentives for voluntary compliance with cybersecurity practices for critical infrastructure; however, the bill also calls for the federal govement to develop standards if the private sector doesn’t and would allow federal agencies to adopt voluntary standards as mandatory requirements. Democrats and Republicans disagreed over the role the Homeland Security Department and other federal agencies should play. Senate leadership tried and failed last August to pass this same bill. The Obama administration has said that if Congress does not pass cybersecurity legislation, the President will act. The White House has drafted an executive order that would establish a voluntary program in which companies that operate critical infrastructure would take steps to secure their computer systems and meet a set of security standards crafted, in part, by the Department of Homeland Security.
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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