FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Sept. 21, 2015
LAST WEEK
ARP Conservation Program
The All-Requirements Project’s Conservation Program was renewed at a funding level of $700,000 beginning Oct. 1, and the fiscal 2016 Program Quarterly Report Form is now available on the Member Portal. Members should use the updated form to report funds distributed from Oct. 1 forward. Members are reminded to submit fourth quarter reports documenting activity from July through September by Oct. 15. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee met last Thursday and approved regulatory assets and liabilities. The Committee also discussed information items, including: 1) fuels market update, 2) annual Information Technology updates, 3) Protiviti and Presidio re-assessments, 4) Florida Municipal Power Pool transmission update, and 5) Risk Management Policy reviews. 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: 1) discontinuing the publishing of legal notices in the Orlando Sentinel for Board meetings, 2) a plan to periodically evaluate employee benefits, 3) fiscal 2015 Stanton Project budget amendment, and 4) fiscal 2015 Tri-City Project budget amendment. Regarding a recommendation for another disaster recovery site, the Board decided to maintain FMPA’s existing arrangements. 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) follow-up response to Auditor General finding No. 2 — natural gas supply agency participation procedure/policy, 2) a plan to periodically evaluate employee benefits, and 3) a peak shaving monitoring and corrective action procedure. Regarding a recommendation for another disaster recovery site, the Committee agreed to maintain FMPA’s existing arrangements. The Committee also agreed with a recommendation from Kissimmee Utility Authority’s Larry Matte to reinstate the monthly ARP rate workshops. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Nick Guarriello
FMPA.com New Features
FMPA’s Public Relations Department completed enhancements to FMPA.com. The changes include: 1) the addition of http://fmpa.com/meetings/meeting-agendas/>
Management Consultant RFQ
ARP Executive Committee Chairman Howard McKinnon and FMPA staff finalized a contract and scope of services last Thursday with Baker Tilly to assist with two recommendations from the Auditor General’s audit. The consultant will provide analysis and recommendations on fuel hedging and the All-Requirements Project contract termination provisions. The consultant will present its initial results to the Executive Committee on Nov. 19. Contact: Nick Guarriello
DEED Membership
FMPA renewed it membership in the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED) Program. FMPA’s Joint Action Agency membership allows all FMPA members, who are APPA members, to have full access to the DEED program and benefits. With FMPA’s DEED membership, FMPA members do not have to pay individual DEED dues, which can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $15,000 depending on the utility size. DEED pools resources to fund innovative utility research and demonstration projects. Some of the DEED benefits include participation in APPA’s RP3 Program, as well as the development of a wide range of products, such as: 1) a pole attachment workbook and rate calculator, 2) energy efficiency brochures and videos, 3) distribution system performance improvement software, and 4) LED lighting guides. Visit http://www.publicpower.org/Programs/Landing.cfm?ItemNumber=31245&navItemNumber=37529>
THIS WEEK
Member City Visit
Nick Guarriello, Mark McCain and Jody Finklea travel to Fort Pierce on Monday for a City Commission meeting to provide an update on the Agency and the All-Requirements Project. On Tuesday, Nick, Mark and Jody will meet with Fort Pierce Utilities Authority staff and make a presentation at the Utility Authority board meeting.
Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee
FMPA’s Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee meets Monday at 1:30 p.m. via conference call to discuss the concept of an All-Requirements Project Community Solar Program. Contact: Michele Jackson
Meter Tech Roundtable
FMPA hosts a Meter Tech Roundtable on Thursday at 10 a.m. 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. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Communicators Roundtable
FMPA’s Public Relations Department and the Florida Municipal Electric Association host a Communicators Roundtable on Friday at 10 a.m. at FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for utility communicators to discuss issues common to communications and marketing departments at public power utilities. Contact: Mark McCain
Substation Training
Friday is the deadline to http://fmpa.com/event/substation-training-series-session-2-substation-inspection-testing-basics/>
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. 20. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Mark Larson, who celebrates 13 years with FMPA on Friday, Sept. 25.
COMING UP
Lineman’s Roundtable
FMPA’s Lineman’s Roundtable is scheduled for Oct. 8 at Ocala Utility Services’ Operations Center. The roundtable provides a forum for line crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and other common issues. Attendance is free, and lunch will be provided. The http://fmpa.com/event/linemans-roundtable-4/>
Policy Makers Liaison’s Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee will meet Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. in the first-floor conference room. Lunch will be provided at noon. Contact: Mark McCain
INDUSTRY NEWS
PSC Approves Reduction in Duke’s Nuclear Plant Asset Value
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a settlement last Tuesday reducing Duke Energy Florida’s (DEF) Crystal River Unit 3 (CR3) regulatory asset by $15 million. Signatories to the settlement included Duke, the Office of Public Counsel, PCS Phosphate, Florida Retail Federation and the Florida Industrial Power Users Group. The settlement resolves issues related to Duke’s CR3 regulatory asset value; however, it does not include issues related to Duke’s current Financing Order Petition. Duke has requested PSC approval for finance plan costs associated with CR3. The utility contends that using securitization—a financing order allowing a utility to recover costs by issuing bonds with lower financing costs—will save customers approximately $600 million over two decades compared to traditional cost recovery methods. PSC Chairman Art Graham said, “During a hearing next month, we will lea more about securitization and how customers might benefit from DEF’s proposed financing plan. Duke’s CR3 Regulatory Asset hearing begins Oct. 14.
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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