FMPA Weekly | Dec. 29, 2014 | Member Edition

FMPA Weekly

 

A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members

 

Dec. 29, 2014

 

 

LAST WEEK

 

FMPA Meeting Calendar

FMPA’s http://fmpa.com/events/month/> style=color: windowtext;>Events Calendar on FMPA.com is updated for January 2015 through December 2015. The meeting calendar includes: 1) FMPA meetings, 2) affiliate meetings, 3) trainings and workshops, 4) roundtables and more. The calendar can be sorted by day, week, month or list view. Users can also search for events, access meeting agendas and download events to any personal calendar that uses the iCal format. More events will be added to the calendar during 2015 as they are scheduled.

 

3 Phase Times

FMPA’s Power Resources Division published the November 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 November natural gas represented 76.5% of FMPA’s generation fuel mix, a decrease of 7% from October. The decrease in natural gas usage was due to an increase in coal generation. For more information, download 3 Phase Times from the Member Portal. Contact: Frank Gaffney

 

 

THIS WEEK

 

IRS Mileage Rate

The Inteal Revenue Service (IRS) has increased the standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business effective Jan. 1, 2015. The rate increased by one and one-half cents per mile from 56 cents to 57.5 cents. The change will be updated in FMPA’s Travel Expense Report Form, which will be posted to the Member Portal on Friday. Executive Committee members should use the updated form for any FMPA meeting-related travel after Jan. 1. Contact: Mark Larson

 

Happy New Year

FMPA’s offices will be closed Wednesday and Thursday in observance of the New Year’s holiday. Have a safe and happy holiday.

 

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 Dec. 28. Contact: Jim Atz

 

 

COMING UP

Excellence as a Supervisor

The http://fmpa.com/event/excellence-as-a-supervisor-4/> style=color: windowtext;>registration deadline for the Excellence as a Supervisor training is Jan. 9. 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 is scheduled for Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 at FMPA’s Orlando office. Visit http://fmpa.com/event/excellence-as-a-supervisor-4/> style=color: windowtext;>FMPA.com for more information. Contact: Sharon Smeenk

 

 

INDUSTRY NEWS

 

EPA Issues Coal Ash Rules

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its first federal guidelines for the disposal of coal ash, instructing power plants to implement safeguards for protecting nearby water supplies. EPA did not require many of the restrictions that had been suggested by environmentalists. In its rule, EPA classified coal ash as a solid http://www.environmentalleader.com/category/waste-management/> style=color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;>waste instead of a http://www.environmentalleader.com/category/hazardous-waste/> style=color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;>hazardous material. EPA said power plants would have to meet certain minimum structural standards for landfills and disposal ponds, and monitor them for leaks. If a breach is discovered, it would be the utility’s responsibility to reinforce or close the pond. New ponds and landfills would have to be lined to provide a barrier against leaks. Controls also must be used to prevent people from breathing in coal-ash dust. Power plants would have to report the results of inspections on a public website. The new rule provides little oversight, leaving it to citizens and the states to sue if power plants are suspected of not adhering to EPA guidelines.

 

 

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 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

 

 

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