FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Aug. 3, 2015
LAST WEEK
Audit Response Report
FMPA filed with the Florida Auditor General last Wednesday a voluntary, 120-day status report on the Agency’s response to the Auditor General’s 15 audit findings. As of July 29, FMPA’s goveing boards have completed work on six audit recommendations (Findings No. 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11). For Findings No. 1 and 14, the Executive Committee decided to retain an independent management consulting firm to fully address the Auditor General’s recommendations (see story below). The Agency will address the remaining seven recommendations by the end of the calendar year. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Management Consulting RFQ
The ARP Executive Committee interviewed five management consulting firms last Thursday that responded to FMPA’s Request for Qualifications to assist with two recommendations from the Auditor General’s audit. After the interviews, the Executive Committee ranked the top three consultants as follows: 1) Baker Tilly, 2) Vista Energy Group, and 3) NERA Economic Consulting. FMPA will begin negotiations with the top-ranked consultant for a contract and work scope. If FMPA cannot reach a mutually acceptable agreement with the top-ranked firm, FMPA will commence negotiation with the second-ranked consultant and so on until a contract is executed. The consultant will provide analysis and recommendations on fuel hedging and the All-Requirements Project contract termination provisions. The selected consultant will present its initial results to the Executive Committee on Nov. 19. Contact: Nick Guarriello
ARP Conservation Program Quarterly Report
The All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) Conservation Program published its third quarter report for fiscal 2015. The report indicates that between April 1 and June 30: 1) ARP participants spent $129,635 on energy-saving measures for their customers, and 2) the energy saving measures have the potential to save customers nearly 1.3 million kWh per year and 15,379 MWh over the life of the measures taken. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
THIS WEEK
Substation Training Series
Wednesday is the registration deadline for the first session of the Substation Safety Awareness Training, which is scheduled for Aug. 18 and Aug. 19 at Orlando Utilities Commission’s Pershing Avenue facility. The series includes four, two-day training sessions that focus on substation safety, inspection, testing, maintenance, and protection. Session one will discuss substation safety awareness basics. Session two is scheduled for Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 and will discuss substation inspection and testing basics. Session three will be held in spring 2016 and discuss substation maintenance. Session four will be held in fall 2016 and discuss substation protection and theory. Participants can attend the entire series or individual sessions. The cost is $900 per two-day session. Registration for http://fmpa.com/event/substation-training-series-session-1-substation-safety-awareness-basics/2015-08-18/>
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Friday 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 and liquidity, 2) an overview of July operations, loads, costs and rate calculations, and 3) estimated rates for August through October. 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 Aug. 2. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Brian Kosson, who celebrates nine years with FMPA on Friday, Aug. 7.
COMING UP
Meter Tech Roundtable
FMPA will host a Meter Tech Roundtable on Sept. 24 at FMPA’s Orlando office. This new roundtable provides a forum for meter technicians and meter maintenance staff to discuss topics such as operating procedures, equipment, safety, training and more. The roundtable is free, and lunch will be provided. http://fmpa.com/event/meter-tech-roundtable-september-24-2015/>
INDUSTRY NEWS
Obama, EPA Set to Adopt Clean Power Plan Curbs on Carbon Emissions
The Obama administration will formally announce on Monday the final version of the Clean Power Plan, an ambitious regulation for reducing greenhouse gas emission that was first proposed a year ago. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reportedly will extend the timeline for states to implement the Clean Power Plan by two years, giving states until 2022 to begin reducing carbon emissions from power plants. The New York Times reported last Tuesday that states also will have until 2018, rather than 2017, to submit plans for compliance. States that comply early will be offered incentives to encourage the use of renewables and energy efficiency programs, according to a report in The Washington Post. The proposed rule, released in June 2014, seeks a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. Under the original proposal, states were required to begin implementing their plans for compliance by 2020. EPA will release the final plan Monday, according to a http://www.eenews.net/assets/2015/07/29/document_ew_01.pdf>
EPA Ordered to Review SO2 and NOx Emission Limits
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last Tuesday to review limits it set on sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants that cross state lines. States subject to the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) asked the court to review the emissions limits set by EPA on the grounds that the limits were causing some states to exceed reduction goals. The court agreed and remanded the rule back to EPA to review the 2014 limits without vacating it. In the meantime, CSAPR will remain in effect.
Duke Completes Purchase of NCEMPA Generation Assets
Duke Energy Progress completed a $1.25 billion purchase last Friday of the generation assets of North Carolina Easte Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) following a year-long approval process. The purchase involves approximately 700 MW of NCEMPA’s ownership interests in nuclear and coal units primarily owned and operated by Raleigh-based Duke Energy Progress. Under the terms of the agreement, NCEMPA also entered into a 30-year power purchase agreement with Duke to continue meeting the needs of the North Carolina-based joint action agency’s members. The transaction provides long-term fuel savings for Duke, and NCEMPA will reduce its outstanding debt by more than 70%.
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 Nathalia Romano 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 Nathalia Romano
Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
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