FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Oct. 26, 2015
LAST WEEK
Guarriello Announces Retirement
Nick Guarriello announced last Thursday during the Board of Directors meeting that he will retire in 2016 as General Manager and CEO. “After considerable thought and discussion with my wife and family, it is time for me to retire, Nick wrote in a letter to Chairman Bill Conrad. Nick joined FMPA in September 2008 as interim General Manager and one year later was officially named General Manager and CEO. Nick steered FMPA through tough times during the Great Recession that produced precarious financial markets, volatile natural gas prices, and declining electricity demand. His seven-year tenure was notable for FMPA’s declining power costs and rising member satisfaction, among other accomplishments. Nick requested that his last day be May 6, although he expressed flexibility to work with the Board to facilitate a smooth transition to the next general manager.
FMPA.com Recognized with APPA Award
FMPA’s website received an Excellence in Public Power Communications award from the American Public Power Association (APPA) last Wednesday at the association’s Customer Connections Conference in Austin, Texas. The website, http://www.FMPA.com>
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee met last Wednesday and discussed: 1) state legislative update, 2) member services trainings and workshops, 3) solar initiatives in Florida, and 4) important electric issues in member cities. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Thursday and approved: 1) revision to the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee charter, 2) the use of development funds for initial Small Modular Reactor technology feasibility studies for a potential future power supply project, 3) per diem and travel expense policy, and 4) transfer of the Crystal River Unit 3 Nuclear Decommissioning trust funds. 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) per diem and travel expense policy, 2) revision to the FMPA Audit and Risk Oversight Committee charter, and 3) renewal of the Wells Fargo line of credit. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Nick Guarriello
THIS WEEK
FMPA Compliance Workshop
FMPA’s Compliance Department hosts a two-day Compliance Workshop on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Board room. Discussion topics will include cybersecurity, North American Electric Reliability Corporation standards and more. Contact: Carol Chinn
Closing CR3 Settlement
Duke Energy Florida and several municipal electric utilities are scheduled to close Friday on a settlement agreement related to the failed repair of Crystal River Unit 3 (CR3) and its subsequent retirement. FMPA represented the municipal joint owners of CR3 and wholesale power purchasers from Duke. Once closing is complete, Duke will wire payments to the joint owners and wholesale purchasers. The cash portion of the settlement, alone, provides $55 million to the eight joint owners and $8.4 million for the wholesale purchasers. In addition, there are other significant benefits that are part of the settlement. Contact: Jody Finklea
Joint Action Solar PV Project
FMPA is soliciting interest from its member cities to participate in a joint solar PV project. FMPA is investigating the feasibility of a solar project for its All-Requirements Project participants and other interested member cities since working together on a utility-scale application can improve project economies. The intent is to help interested cities meet their needs, whether it’s sponsoring a Community Solar Program with subscriptions from retail customers or just incorporating solar power into the city’s resource portfolio. Any FMPA member interested in receiving more information should contact FMPA’s Michele Jackson. An initial, non-binding expression of interest is requested by Dec. 1.
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. 25. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Terry Bus, who celebrates seven years with FMPA on Thursday, Oct. 29.
Congratulations to Ed Nunez, who celebrates eight years with FMPA on Thursday, Oct. 29.
COMING UP
Energy Auditors Roundtable
FMPA will host an Energy Auditors Roundtable on Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Publix Dairy Facility in Lakeland. 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/fmpa-energy-auditors-roundtable/>
Purchasing Roundtable
FMPA will host a Purchasing Roundtable on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for purchasing personnel to discuss work procedures, policies, industry changes, equipment and other topics of interest. http://fmpa.com/event/fmpa-purchasing-roundtable/>
INDUSTRY NEWS
NRC Issues Nuclear Reactor Operating License to TVA
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a 40-year operating license to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) last Thursday for Watts Bar Unit 2, making it the first nuclear unit to receive NRC authorization since 1996. TVA had suspended construction on Unit 2 in 1985 when it was about 55% completed, and then in 2007, decided to resume work. The NRC’s approval allows Watts Bar Unit 2 to operate through Oct. 22, 2055. TVA officials said the unit is scheduled to come online in early 2016 and will generate approximately 1,100 MW.
Clean Power Plan Published in Federal Register, Petition for Stay Filed
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Clean Power Plan (CPP) last Friday in the Federal Register, and the same day, two-dozen states filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals seeking a stay to suspend the plan’s implementation. CPP sets carbon dioxide emission rates for individual states with the overall goal of reducing CO2 emissions from existing power plants by 32% from 2005 levels by 2030. Critics have said the rule is unconstitutional and that EPA does not have authority to impose it. Also published in the Federal Register last Friday was the final rule regulating carbon dioxide emissions for new, modified and reconstructed power plants, as well as the CPP’s proposed Federal Implementation Plan, which would be imposed on states that do not develop a State Implementation Plan. The proposed Federal Implementation Plan will be the subject of four public hearings in November, according to EPA Acting Air Chief Janet McCabe. Publication of the CPP initiates a 90-day comment period that will end Jan. 21.
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
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Tel 407 355-7767
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