FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Jan. 7, 2013
LAST WEEK
3 Phase Times
FMPA’s Power Resources Division recently published the November 2012 edition of 3 Phase Times. 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 FMPA’s total natural gas usage for November was 2,410,763 MMBtu, nearly 11% less than projected. The decrease was due to: 1) mild weather, 2) lower loads for ARP members, and 3) the operation of Stanton I and Stanton II for retention pond water-level management. For more information, download 3 Phase Times from the Member Portal. Contact: Tom Reedy
All-Requirements Project December Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s peak for December was 837 MW, which occurred Dec. 23 between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. The project’s load factor for December 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 95% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 95% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for December is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
THIS WEEK
APPA Joint Action Workshop
Fred Bryant is attending the American Public Power Association’s Joint Action Workshop on Monday and Tuesday in Sanibel Island, Fla. Discussion topics will include: 1) Moody’s new approach to credit ratings, 2) cyber security issues, 3) public power utility buyouts and more. On Tuesday, Fred and Barry Moline from the Florida Municipal Electric Association will participate in a panel discussion about what to do if a municipal electric utility is approached with a buyout offer. The panel will discuss the implications of selling a public power utility, the impact on existing contracts, and how joint action agencies can help their members prevent or, if necessary, work through these situations.
Welcome Allison Briggs
FMPA welcomes Allison Briggs, who joins the staff on Monday as the new public relations inte. Allison is a student at the University of Central Florida, where she is double majoring in advertising/public relations and political science. Contact: Mark McCain
HVAC Upgrade
A task group of FMPA staff members will interview three engineering firms on Tuesday about replacing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) at FMPA’s Orlando office. FMPA is seeking an engineering firm to serve as the owner’s representative during the replacement process. The working group will interview Graef-USA Inc., SGM Engineering Inc., and TLC Engineering for Architecture. The firms will be ranked following the interviews, and contract negotiations will begin with the top-ranked firm. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Member City Visit
Bud Boudreaux travels to Kissimmee on Wednesday for a member city visit with Kissimmee Utility Authority President and General Manager Jim Welsh and KUA Board Secretary Dr. George Gant.
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Wednesday 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 December operations, loads, costs and rate calculations, and 3) estimated rates for January through March. Contact: Jim Atz
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
APPA Legislative Rally
Mark McCain and Ryan Dumas meet Wednesday via conference call with Barry Moline and Amy Zubaly from the Florida Municipal Electric Association and FMPA’s lobbyist Michael Nolan to begin planning for the annual legislative rally in Washington, D.C. The rally hosted by the American Public Power Association (APPA) will be held March 11 to March 13. Anyone who plans to attend the rally should make their travel plans and register with APPA as soon as possible.
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 Jan. 6. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Chris Gowder, who celebrates 11 years with FMPA on Wednesday, Jan. 9.
COMING UP
ARP Conservation Program
All-Requirements Project (ARP) members are reminded to submit quarterly reports documenting ARP Conservation Program efforts between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. Reports are due Jan. 15. The quarterly report form is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee will meet Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. via conference call. Contact: Rich Popp
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors will meet Jan. 17 via conference call at 10 a.m. or immediately following the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee meeting. Contact: Mark Larson
ARP Executive Committee
The All-Requirements Project Executive Committee will meet Jan. 17 via conference call at 10:30 a.m. or immediately following the Board of Directors meeting. Contact: Mark Larson
Human Resources Roundtable
FMPA will host a Human Resources Roundtable on Jan. 23 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=50>registration; is requested. Participation in the roundtable via teleconference will be available for those unable to attend in person. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
APPA Winter Education Institute
The American Public Power Association’s APPA’s” rel=”nofollow”>http://www.publicpower.org/WinterInstitute/index.cfm?ItemNumber=32858>APPA’s website for registration and additional program information.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fiscal Cliff Bill Spares Municipal Bonds, for Now
The fiscal cliff legislation signed by President Obama on Jan. 2 leaves in place the federal income tax exemption for municipal bonds, but the issue is far from settled. The Administration intends to pursue reduced tax benefits for high-income households in 2013, and both President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, earlier had discussed limits on tax deductions and exclusions. The debate over the fiscal cliff is the first of several major budget policy negotiations expected this year. The White House said in a Jan. 1 fact sheet that the fiscal cliff deal provides a foundation for pursuing deficit reduction through tax and entitlement reform and leaves substantial scope for reducing tax expenditures for high-income households. The next budget battle is likely to take place in February when the federal govement is expected to run out of borrowing authority under the current $16.394 trillion federal debt limit. The fiscal cliff agreement postponed deep discretionary spending cuts, but those cuts still are set to take effect March 1. Also, a stop-gap spending bill for fiscal 2013 expires March 27.
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 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
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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