FMPA Weekly | Dec. 07, 2015 | Member Edition

FMPA Weekly

 

A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members

 

Dec. 7, 2015

 


 

LAST WEEK

 

Joint Action Solar PV Project

Seven FMPA member cities have expressed interest in a joint action solar photovoltaic (PV) project including Fort Pierce, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Leesburg, Ocala and Orlando. Municipals are looking at options for incorporating solar into their generation resource mix, and a joint project would enhance economies of scale. FMPA reached out to Florida’s municipal electric utilities to explore potential interest. Members who are interested but have not yet submitted an initial, non-binding expression of interest are reminded to do so as soon as possible. FMPA plans to discuss project options and members’ interest during the Dec. 17 Executive Committee meeting. Contact: Michele Jackson

 

3 Phase Times

FMPA’s Power Resources Division published the October 2015 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 natural gas represented 86.7% of FMPA’s total resources fuel mix in October. The ARP sold 94,562 MWhs to the Florida Municipal Power Pool (FMPP) at an average price of $21.01 per MWh, which was less than the estimated short-term forecast of 137,220 MWh. The FMPP Average Monthly Gas Dispatch Price in October was $2.513 per MMBtu, which is $0.37 lower than September’s average of $2.887. For more information, download 3 Phase Times from the Member Portal. Contact: Frank Gaffney

 

All-Requirements Project November Load Statistics

The All-Requirements Project’s non-Contract Rate of Delivery peak for November was 1,006 MW, which occurred Nov. 3 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. The project’s load factor for November was 61%. Load factor is a ratio of actual energy (MWh) used during the period versus what would have been consumed if demand was at peak for the entire period. A higher load factor indicates more effective system utilization and results in lower average costs. The month’s peak was 130% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 114% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for November is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz

 


 

THIS WEEK

 

ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop

The ARP Executive Committee meets Wednesday 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 November operations, loads, costs and rate calculations, and 3) estimated rates for December through February. Contact: Jim Atz

 

Purchasing Roundtable

FMPA hosts a Purchasing Roundtable on Thursday 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. Lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels

 

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. 6. Contact: Jim Atz

 

Special Dates

Congratulations to Ray Platt, who celebrated 15 years with FMPA on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

 


 

COMING UP

 

Board of Directors Workshop

FMPA’s Board of Directors will meet Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. in the Board room to discuss filling the pending General Manager vacancy. Contact: Nick Guarriello

 

Audit and Risk Oversight Committee

The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee will meet Dec. 17 in the Board room. The meeting time will be finalized soon.  Contact: Rich Popp

 

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors will meet Dec. 17 in the Board room. The meeting time will be finalized soon. Contact: Nick Guarriello

 

ARP Executive Committee

The ARP Executive Committee will meet Dec. 17 in the Board room. The meeting time will be finalized soon. Contact: Nick Guarriello

 

FMEA Legislative Rally

Registration is now open for the Florida Legislative Rally scheduled for Feb. 1 and Feb. 2 in Tallahassee. With legislation pending that affects municipal electric utilities, it is important for every utility to be represented at the Rally. http://publicpower.com/fmea-legislative-rally/> style=color: windowtext; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;>Registration information is available on the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s website. Contact: Amy Zubaly at FMEA

 


 

INDUSTRY NEWS

 

PSC Approves Hedging Practices

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) voted last Thursday to continue allowing electric utilities to buy natural gas and other fuel through hedging but said it would look at ways to minimize potential losses. Commissioners said hedging is meant to reduce volatility and indicated the program has worked. They noted that while natural gas prices are low today, resulting in hedging losses, future volatility in price could not be ruled out. In preceding hearings, experts on behalf of the Office of Public Council testified that the natural gas hedging programs of Florida’s four major investor-owned utilities have lost $5.3 billion over the 2002-2014 period, with additional losses of $789 million expected in 2015. The PSC plans to revisit hedging practices next year to see if there are options to limit losses, including whether the PSC should cap how much hedging utilities are allowed to conduct.

 


 

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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