FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
April 20, 2015
LAST WEEK
Joint Purchase Project
FMPA’s Joint Purchase Project issued an http://fmpa.com/invitation-to-bid-purchase-and-delivery-of-transformers/” target=_blank>invitation to bid last Wednesday for the purchase and delivery of transformers for Green Cove Springs. The deadline to submit a bid is April 24 at 1:30 p.m. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Business Planning and Budget Committee
FMPA’s Business Planning and Budget Committee met last Tuesday for its first review of the Agency’s proposed fiscal 2016 budget and its review of the St. Lucie Project budget. The Committee will meet May 20 for its second review of the Agency budget and its review of the Stanton, Stanton II and Tri-City project budgets. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Mark Larson
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
The Policy Makers Liaisons Committee met last Wednesday to discuss information items, including: 1) state legislative issues related to electric utilities, 2) the Auditor General’s audit report and FMPA’s response, 3) FMPA’s Ten-Year Site Plan, and 4) important electric issues in members’ communities. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee met last Thursday and approved and recommended to the Board of Directors a one-time exception to the Debt Risk Management Policy for the St. Lucie Project and asked staff to report back twice annually. The Committee also discussed information items, including: 1) fuels market update, 2) annual environmental review, and 3) Risk Management Policy review. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Rich Popp
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Thursday and approved a one-month exception to the Debt Risk Management Policy for the St. Lucie Project and asked staff to bring the action item back for discussion at its May meeting. The Board agreed to table its discussion on new credit card practices and bring it back at its May meeting. The Board also discussed information items, including: 1) annual debt report, 2) update on Auditor General finding No. 15 – Disaster Recovery Plan, 3) update on Auditor General finding No. 10 – selection of bond professionals, and 4) update on Auditor General finding No. 4 – Investment Policy. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Nick Guarriello
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee met last Thursday and approved: 1) the Florida Gas Transmission Firm Capacity Contract Entitlement Extension, 2) a revision to Contract Rate of Delivery implementation protocols, 3) the renewal of All-Requirements Project Conservation Program and funding level for fiscal 2016, and 4) an amendment to existing letter of credit with Bank of America. The Committee agreed to terminate three of the nine Taylor Swaps as soon as practical and then terminate the remaining six swaps along with an advance refunding of the All-Requirements Project 2008A and 2009A series bonds. The Committee may hold a special-called telephonic meeting to discuss the amortization schedule for the advance refunding. The Committee agreed to table its discussion on new credit card practices and bring it back at its May meeting. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Florida Lineman Competition
Electric utility lineworkers from Tallahasee won a trip to participate in a national lineworkers’ competition courtesy of FMPA as part of their prize for winning the annual Florida Lineman Competition held last Friday and Saturday in Tallahassee. Judges selected Keith Kirkpatrick as the top-rated apprentice, and the winning joueyman team included Garrett Padgham, Blake Bus and Lamar Allen. Keith will receive $750 and the joueyman team will receive $3,000 to pay for travel expenses to participate in a national competition. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
THIS WEEK
IT Community Roundtable
FMPA hosts an Information Technology (IT) Community Roundtable on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Board room. The roundtable provides an opportunity for IT staff to meet with their peers to exchange ideas and experiences on current issues, such as email usage, computer security, product help, best practices and more. Attendance is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Human Resources Roundtable
Friday is the deadline to http://fmpa.com/event/human-resources-roundtable-april-30-2015/>
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 April 19. Contact: Jim Atz
COMING UP
Lineman’s Roundtable
FMPA’s semi-annual Lineman’s Roundtable is scheduled for May 7 at 10 a.m. in Lakeland. The roundtable provides a forum for line crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and other common issues. http://fmpa.com/event/linemans-roundtable-2/>
Energy Auditors Roundtable
FMPA will hold an Energy Auditor Roundtable on May 14 at 10 a.m. in Fort Pierce. 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://fmpa.com/event/energy-auditors-roundtable-2/>
FMEA Annual Conference
Hotel registration is now open for the 2015 FMEA Annual Conference scheduled for July 21 through July 24 at the Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla. The conference kicks off July 21 with preconference seminars and a welcome reception. The following days feature general sessions and breakout sessions on a variety of industry topics. Visit FMEA’s http://publicpower.com/annual-conference/#registration>
INDUSTRY NEWS
Norman Bay Named FERC Chairman
Norman Bay was named Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman last Wednesday after being nominated to the position by President Obama. Bay succeeds former Chairman Cheryl LaFleur, who will stay on as a commissioner. Bay has served as a commissioner since August 2014, and his term expires June 30, 2018.
PSC Approves FPL Rate Decrease
The Florida Public Service Commission approved Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) request to reduce electrics rate beginning May 1. FPL in March filed its updated fuel cost projections for 2015 and said the decrease is due to lower natural gas prices. A typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would pay $97.11, a $3.01 decrease. Commercial electric customers would see decreases of 3% to 6%, depending on company size and rate class, according to FPL’s proposed rate schedules.
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
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