FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Jan. 11, 2016
__________________________________________________________
LAST WEEK
Utility Rates
FMPA’s All-Requirements Project serves four out of the five lowest-cost utilities in Florida, according to data released last week by the Florida Municipal Electric Association. The retail electricity rates of Florida’s municipal electric utilities in November 2015 were among the lowest in the state and more than 10% less than the average for the state’s investor-owned utilities. Of Florida’s 34 municipal electric utilities, 32 were below the investor-owned utilities’ average cost. Municipals were the lowest cost provider in 15 different rate comparison categories. The City of Quincy reported the lowest bills in eight categories. The Town of Havana, City of Clewiston and Lakeland Electric were lowest in two categories each, while the City of Green Cove Springs reported the lowest bill in one category.
Treasure Coast Energy Center
Treasure Coast Energy Center Unit 1 was ranked as one of the cleanest plants of its kind in the nation, according to a recently published study based on Environmental Protection Agency data. The plant’s efficient generating technology, advanced environmental controls and operational excellence all contribute to its exceptional environmental performance. This is the third consecutive year and the fourth time in five years that Unit 1 has been ranked in the top 20 lowest emitting combined cycle plants. No rankings were reported in 2011. Contact: David Schumann
Board of Directors Appointment
Vero Beach City Council appointed City Manager Jim O’Connor to serve as the city’s representative to FMPA’s Board of Directors. Jim replaces Councilmember Randy Old as the city’s representative. Contact: Nick Guarriello
All-Requirements Project December Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s non-Contract Rate of Delivery peak for December was 845 MW, which occurred Dec. 30 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The project’s load factor for December was 69%. 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 102% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 106% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for December is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Arntz
__________________________________________________________
THIS WEEK
Mayfield Bill
FMPA staff and local elected officials from several FMPA members are attending a meeting of the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee in Tallahassee to testify Monday at a hearing about a bill proposed by Rep. Debbie Mayfield (R-Vero Beach) that would subject FMPA to several new regulatory requirements. It has been rumored that Rep. Mayfield plans to introduce an amendment to her bill that would subject all of FMPA’s members to additional regulation, too. The current version of House Bill 579 would: 1) require additional financial reporting for each individual generating asset of FMPA, including an annual “fair market value of each asset as determined by a “willing buyer and willing seller, 2) mandate that each member of FMPA’s goveing body be an elected official, 3) expand the duties of the state Public Counsel to include proceedings of FMPA, and 4) subject FMPA to regulation by the Public Service Commission. The meeting is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Webster Hall, Room 212 of the Knott Building. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Welcome, Joscelyn
Joscelyn Bivins joins the staff on Monday as FMPA’s new Public Relations Intern. Joscelyn is a student at the University of Central Florida majoring in advertising and public relations. We’re happy to have Joscelyn as a member of the FMPA team.
Fiscal 2015 Audited Financial Statements Q&A
FMPA’s Accounting Department hosts a question and answer session via conference call on Thursday at 10 a.m. to discuss FMPA’s fiscal 2015 audited financial statements. The financials were emailed last Friday to FMPA’s members. Contact: Mark Larson
Executive Search Committee
The Executive Search Committee meets via conference call on Thursday at 1 p.m. The action items include: 1) reviewing and ranking Executive Search Consultant proposals, and 2) discussing and recommending next steps. The recommended ranking of the top three search consultants will be presented for approval at the Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 21. FMPA received nine proposals last Friday in response to its Request for Proposals from Executive Search Consultants. Chairman Bill Conrad has added Mike Poucher from Ocala to the Search Committee, along with the seven other members announced last week. The Search Committee will receive an email early this week with instructions on how to download the proposals. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Substation Training
Friday is the deadline to register for the Substation Training course scheduled for Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 at FMPA’s Orlando office. The two-day training will focus on substation protection and theory. The only prerequisite is a basic knowledge of substations and a desire to lea more. The cost is $900 per person, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
ARP Conservation Program Quarterly Reports
Friday is the deadline for All-Requirements Project members to submit quarterly reports documenting energy conservation efforts between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2015. The quarterly report form is available on the Member Portal. If you have no activity to report, please contact Sharon Smeenk and let her know.
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 Jan. 10. Contact: Jim Arntz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Sharon Smeenk, who celebrates 11 years with FMPA on Monday, Jan. 18.
__________________________________________________________
COMING UP
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FMPA’s offices will be closed Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee will meet Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. in the first-floor conference room. Lunch will be provided at noon. Contact: Mark McCain
FMEA Legislative Rally
The Florida Legislative Rally is scheduled for Feb. 1 and Feb. 2 in Tallahassee. With legislation pending that affects all municipal electric utilities, it is important for every utility to be represented at the Rally. Registration is available on the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s website. Contact: Amy Zubaly at FMEA
__________________________________________________________
INDUSTRY NEWS
PSC Approves Need for New FPL Plant
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the need for Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) proposed natural gas power plant in Okeechobee County. Commissioners agreed with a staff conclusion that the proposed 1,633 MW plant would increase FPL’s already-heavy reliance on natural gas. But PSC Chairman Julie Brown said the plant is the “most cost effective option. The plant is projected to cost $1.3 billion, but FPL officials said there would be no impact on electric rates until the plant comes online in June 2019. The plant still must be approval by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet, who sit as the power-plant siting board.
FPUA’s Mike Perri Appointed to APPA’s Policy Makers Council
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Board Chairman Mike Perri has been appointed by the American Public Power Association (APPA) to a three-year term on its Policy Makers Council. The Council is made up of utility goveing board members from across the nation to assist APPA in promoting federal legislation that is important to public power utilities. Newberry Mayor Bill Conrad and Kissimmee Utility Authority Board Chairman Reginald Hardee are also members of the Council.
__________________________________________________________
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
http://www.fmpa.com
Community Power. Statewide Strength. ®