FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Oct. 6, 2014
LAST WEEK
Natural Gas Transportation and Supply RFQ
FMPA issued a http://www.fmpa.com/index.php/news/request-for-proposals>
Cane Island Unit 4
Cane Island Unit 4 was taken offline last Saturday for a scheduled maintenance outage. Unit 4 is scheduled to come back online Oct. 28. Contact: David Schumann
All-Requirements Project September Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s peak for September was 1,093 MW, which occurred Sept. 3 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The project’s load factor for September was 65%. 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 103% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 97% 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 Christin Senior to have your utility’s celebration featured in FMPA Weekly and on the Member Portal.
APPA Customer Connections Conference
Monday is the early bird registration deadline for the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Customer Connections Conference scheduled for Oct. 26 through Oct. 29 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The conference offers 40 concurrent sessions and many networking opportunities for professional in the areas of customer service, economic development, energy services, key accounts, and public communications. Visit http://www.publicpower.org/Events/Landing.cfm?ItemNumber=30628&navItemNumber=38295>
FMEA Energy Connections Conference
The Florida Municipal Electric Association’s (FMEA) Energy Connections Conference is Thursday and Friday at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando. The two-day conference will include sessions on electric utility industry trends, emerging technologies, smart-phone apps for electric utilities, customer service satisfaction and more. Visit http://publicpower.com/energy-connections-conference/>
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. 5. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Jody Finklea, who celebrates 13 years with FMPA on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Congratulations to Jaye Godin, who celebrates two years with FMPA on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
COMING UP
IT Community Roundtable
Wednesday is the http://www.fmpa.com/index.php/component/registrationpro/?view=event&did=59>
Energy Auditor Roundtable
FMPA will hold an Energy Auditor Roundtable on Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. in Ocala. This semi-annual roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss topics such as work procedures, policies and practices, industry changes, equipment and materials, and other topics of interest. The roundtable is open to any utility staff member who has an interest in energy audit related topics. http://www.fmpa.com/index.php/component/registrationpro/?view=event&did=38>
INDUSTRY NEWS
TECO Plans to Build Region’s Largest Solar Project
Tampa Electric Co. (TECO) reached an agreement with Tampa Inteational Airport to build a 2 MW solar canopy on top of the airport’s south economy parking garage at a cost of $5 million to $6 million. The solar photovoltaic system is TECO’s first renewable energy project and the largest solar project in the Tampa Bay area. TECO will pay the airport $15,000 per year to lease the space for the system, which will feed into TECO’s electricity grid. TECO plans to start and complete construction in 2015, but the project must be approved first by the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that reflections from the panels do not interfere with the vision of air traffic controllers or pilots landing from the south.
PSC Sets Nuclear Cost Recovery Charges for FPL and Duke
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) set 2015 nuclear cost recovery charges last Thursday for Florida Power & Light (FPL) and Duke Energy Florida. The cost recovery rule allows for the recovery of certain plant construction costs as they are incurred, rather than waiting until the plant enters commercial operation. Starting in January, FPL residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month will pay a monthly charge of 15 cents, a decrease of 31-cents. Duke residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month will pay $5.51, a decrease of 11-cents.
PSC Orders Duke to refund $54 Million to Customers
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) last Thursday ordered Duke Energy Florida to credit $54 million to customers for nuclear equipment that was never received for the now canceled Levy County nuclear plant. A $3.45 per month charge had been previously approved by the PSC to recover costs associated with the project. The decision means that Duke will stop charging the $3.45 fee to customers in 2015, much earlier than anticipated. The fee had been approved until 2016. The Commission’s decision went against its staff recommendation, which opposed the refund until Duke completes a lawsuit with Westinghouse Electric Co. over equipment costs from the nuclear plant.
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/>
Community Power. Statewide Strength. ®