FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Sept. 29, 2014
LAST WEEK
Member Services Advisory Committee
FMPA’s Member Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) met last Wednesday and approved the Meter Technician Apprentice Program. The Committee also discussed information items, including: 1) action items for the Agency’s strategic plan, 2) Energy Depot program renewal, and 3) pole attachment program update. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Three Phase Times
FMPA’s Power Resources Division published the August 2014 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 in August FMPA used 4,640,709 MMBtus of natural gas, nearly 17% more than the fiscal 2014 budget projection. The higher amount of natural gas usage was due to the economic dispatching of FMPA’s gas-fired generating units and the high amount of sales to the Florida Municipal Power Pool. For more information, download 3 Phase Times from the Member Portal. Contact: Frank Gaffney
THIS WEEK
APPA Legislative Rally
The American Public Power Association (APPA) has scheduled its annual Legislative Rally for March 9-11, 2015, at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C. The Rally is an opportunity for members of the public power community to participate in the federal legislative process. FMPA has budgeted funds to pay the travel expenses for 14 members to attend the Rally. Mark McCain will send an email on Monday to FMPA’s members with information about the Rally, and the first 14 people to respond to Mark will be eligible for travel reimbursement.
Member City Visits
Bud Boudreaux and Mark McCain travel on Monday to Moore Haven and Clewiston for member city visits. On Tuesday, Mark and Bud travel to Fort Pierce.
Lineman’s Roundtable
FMPA’s semi-annual Lineman’s Roundtable is Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Hardee County Health Department in Wauchula. The roundtable provides a forum for line crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools and equipment. Attendance is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Welcome, Matthew Nichols
Please welcome Matthew Nichols, who joins FMPA on Wednesday as the new Network Administrator. Matthew comes to FMPA from the City of Kissimmee, where he served as Network Administrator. Matthew has two associate’s degrees in computer engineering from Valencia College.
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 Sept. 28. Contact: Jim Atz
Congratulations, Wallace L. Whiting IV!
Congratulations to Public” rel=”nofollow”>http://www.publicpower.org/Programs/interiordetail2col.cfm?ItemNumber=38631&navItemNumber=38632>Public Power Week Toolkit provided by the American Public Power Association is a valuable resource to help electric customers lea about where their power comes from and why it matters. The Home Power Advantage http://www.homepoweradvantage.com/>website; from FMPA and the Florida Municipal Electric Association is also a great tool. Visit APPA’s http://www.publicpower.org/Programs/interiordetail2col.cfm?ItemNumber=38631&navItemNumber=38632>website; for celebration ideas.
INDUSTRY NEWS
FPL Proposes Natural Gas Reserve Investments to Hedge Against Fuel Volatility
Florida Power & Light (FPL) filed a request with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to invest up to $750 million annually in natural gas reserves as a hedge against volatility in fuel prices. The details of FPL’s request were made public in a Sept. 15 filing at the PSC as part of an annual review of fuel expenses. FPL initially disclosed its plans to invest in natural gas reserves in June through a joint venture with PetroQuest Energy Inc. Under the proposal, FPL would work toward securing a maximum of 25% of its average daily bu from natural gas reserves in 2017 by securing up to 15% in 2015 and up to 20% in 2016. FPL describes investing in natural gas reserves as long-term hedging that complements its short-term hedging program. FPL acknowledged that anticipated savings to customers could evaporate if fuel prices fall below the level at which FPL invests, which is why it is only seeking to invest in reserves for a quarter of its needs. The PSC will hold hearings Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 to discuss FPL’s request.
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 Christin Senior 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 Christin Senior
Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
http://www.fmpa.com>www.fmpa.com
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