FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Oct. 7, 2013
LAST WEEK
St. Lucie 2013A Bond Closing
FMPA closed last Thursday on $16.745 million of St. Lucie Project 2013A revenue bonds. The Board of Directors approved the financing in August 2013 to fund new capital expenditures. FMPA sold the bonds to BBVA Compass. The bonds have a fixed-interest rate of 2.73% for 13 years. Contact: Janet Davis
All-Requirements Project September Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s peak for September was 1,165 MW, which occurred Sept. 5 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The project’s load factor for September 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 101% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 100% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for September is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
THIS WEEK
Public Power Week
Municipal electric utilities across the nation celebrate Public Power Week this week. This annual event is a great time for local utilities to reach out to citizens in their communities to communicate the unique benefits of public power. What is your utility doing to celebrate? FMPA would like to highlight your events in our publications. Send your Public Power Week stories to Ryan Dumas or Allison Briggs to have your utility’s celebration featured in FMPA Weekly and on the Member Portal.
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Tuesday 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 September operations, loads, costs and rate calculations, and 3) estimated rates for October through December. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. 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 Oct. 6. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Jody Finklea, who celebrates 12 years with FMPA on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
Congratulations to Jaye Godin, who celebrates one year with FMPA on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
COMING UP
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
The Policy Makers Liaisons Committee will meet Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. in the first-floor conference room. Lunch will be served at noon. Contact: Mark McCain
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee will meet Oct. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in the Board room. Contact: Rich Popp
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors will meet Oct. 17 in the Board room at 9:30 a.m. or immediately following the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee meeting. Contact: Nick Guarriello
ARP Executive Committee
The All-Requirements Project Executive Committee will meet Oct. 17 in the Board room at 10 a.m. or immediately following the Board of Directors meeting. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Lineman’s Roundtable
FMPA’s semi-annual Lineman’s Roundtable is scheduled for Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. in Clewiston. The roundtable provides a forum for line crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and other common issues. http://www.fmpa.com/index.php/component/registrationpro/?view=event&did=26>Registration; is requested, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Excellence as a Supervisor Training
Registration is open for the 2014 Excellence as a Supervisor Training, which is available to FMPA members as part of the alliance between FMPA and Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG). The training is designed to provide supervisors or prospective supervisors with the skills necessary to be effective leaders. Training is divided into two series consisting of three modules each. The first module will be held Jan. 28 and Jan. 29 at FMPA’s Orlando office. ECG has re-examined program delivery costs and found ways to reduce the registration fee for this highly acclaimed program. Registration information is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
INDUSTRY NEWS
EPA to Consider Carbon Emission from Existing Fossil-Fuel Plants
Two weeks after announcing a proposal to limit greenhouse gases from new coal-fired and natural gas-fired power plants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last Monday that it will consider approaches for reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants. EPA said it will hold 11 “listening sessions across the country during October and November to solicit ideas and input from the public and stakeholders about the best Clean Air Act approaches for reducing greenhouse gases produced by existing power plants. EPA expects to issue a proposed rule by June 2014.
Binz Withdraws as Nominee for FERC
Ron Binz said last Tuesday he withdrew his name from consideration as a nominee to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission because he didn’t have the support of a majority of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which was considering his nomination. Binz ran into heavy opposition from the coal industry and conservative political groups. President Barak Obama had planned to name Binz as chairman, assuming he was confirmed by the Senate. While the White House has not named a replacement, possible candidates include Arkansas Utility Commissioner Colette Honorable, Nevada lobbyist Rose McKinney-Jame, former North Carolina Utilities Commissioner Jim Kerr and North Carolina Utilities Commission Chairman Ed Finley.
PSC Approves $43.5 million in FPL Nuclear Costs
The Florida Public Service Commission approved last Tuesday $43.5 million in nuclear charges for Florida Power & Light (FPL) customers beginning January 2014. Most of the costs stem from projects to upgrade existing FPL reactors, but $16.2 million will go toward a plan to build two new reactors at FPL’s Turkey Point plant. If built, the reactors are projected to begin commercial operation in 2022 and are estimated to cost $12.7 billion to $18.5 billion. FPL residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month will see a monthly charge of approximately 46 cents, reflecting a $1.19 decrease from the current charge. As a result of revisions to state law during the 2013 legislative session, FPL’s total recovery was reduced by $1.6 million due to adjustments in calculating carrying costs.
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 Allison Briggs 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 Allison Briggs
Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
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