FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
April 18, 2016
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LAST WEEK
Disaster Preparedness Drill
Ryan Dumas and Jeff Grainger participated last Thursday in Kissimmee Utility Authority’s (KUA) annual disaster preparedness drill. They met with KUA’s Chris Gent and Kayla Torpey to discuss coordination efforts in the event of an emergency at Cane Island Power Park.
Meal Per Diem Calculator
The latest version of FMPA’s Meal Per Diem Calculator was posted last Wednesday to the Member Portal. When submitting per diem, use the file on the Portal to make sure you have the latest version. Contact: Mark McCain
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THIS WEEK
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
The Policy Makers Liaisons Committee meets Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the first-floor conference room at FMPA’s Orlando office to discuss: 1) state legislative update related to electric utilities, 2) member services participation rate, 3) report on debt by member by project 4) report of cost-cutting measures, and 5) the most important electric issues in their communities. Lunch will be served at noon. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee meets Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Board room to discuss: 1) approval of St. Lucie Capital Appreciation Bonds, and 2) approval of pro forma debt report. The committee will also hear information items, including: 1) fuel market update, and 2) risk management policy review. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Rich Popp
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors meets Thursday in the Board room at 9:30 a.m. or immediately following the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee meeting. The Board will discuss: 1) extension of the retirement date for Nick Guarriello to continue to service as General Manger and CEO, 2) approval of the use of development funds for a joint action solar PV project, and 3) appointment of the Nominating Committee. The Board will hear information items, including: 1) member services participating rate, 2) roof replacement, 3) debt by participant by project, and 4) member services satisfaction survey. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Nick Guarriello
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee meets Thursday in the Board room at 10 a.m. or immediately following the Board of Directors meeting. The committee will discuss acceptance and approval of a report on the All-Requirements Series 2016A bond issue. The committee will hear information items, including: 1) status update on letter of intent and multi-year maintenance program agreements with General Electric, 2) ARP net metering policy, 3) update on a solar PV project, 4) 2016 Ten Year Site Plan, 5) 2016 load forecast, and 6) line of credit agreement with JP Morgan. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Distribution Reliability Roundtable
Friday is the >registration deadline for FMPA’s Distribution Reliability Roundtable on April 28 at 10 a.m. at FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss topics, such as reporting procedures, definitions, interpretations, best practices and more. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
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 April 17. Contact: Jim Arntz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Amie Erickson, who celebrated 16 years with FMPA on Sunday, April 17.
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COMING UP
Business Planning and Budget Committee
The Business Planning and Budget Committee will meet April 25 at 9 a.m. in the Board room of FMPA’s Orlando office. Contact: Mark Larson
Lineman’s Roundtable
FMPA’s Lineman’s Roundtable will be held May 5 in Vero Beach. The roundtable provides a forum for line crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and more. The forum is open to all levels of line crew personnel as well as any utility staff member. The registration deadline is April 28. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Energy Auditor’s Roundtable
FMPA will host an Energy Auditor’s Roundtable on May 26 at 10 a.m. at Gainesville Regional Utilities. This roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss topics, such as work procedures, policies, practices, industry changes, equipment, materials and other topics of interest. The roundtable is open to any utility staff member who has an interest in energy audit-related topics. Registration is requested by May 19. Lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Solar Amendment Campaign Outlined
Consumers for Smart Solar, a group backed by investor-owned utilities in Florida, held a news conference last Tuesday to announce plans for promoting a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. The group revealed the campaign slogan, “Yes on 1 for the Sun, but provided few other details of the upcoming campaign. More than $7 million has been spent to get the measure on the ballot, where it will appear as Amendment 1, and supporters expect to spend millions more promoting the amendment. The measure would generally maintain the status quo in allowing consumers to sell power to utilities and would prevent consumers who do not install a solar system from having to subsidize those who do. The amendment requires 60% approval to pass.
FPL Commissions Natural Gas Power Plant at Port Everglades
Florida Power & Light (FPL) formally commissioned a new natural gas-fired power plant last Monday at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. The plant went into operation April 1, two months ahead of the original schedule. The 1,277 MW unit reportedly cost $1.2 billion. FPL built the new unit at the site of its old 1960s-era plant that was demolished in 2013. The new plant will require 30% less fuel than its predecessor and air emissions have been reduced by 90%.
Wind Capacity Grew In 2015
The U.S. wind energy industry installed 8,598 MW in new generating capacity during 2015, a 77% increase from 2014. Xcel Energy, based in Minnesota, had the most wind on its system with 6,545 MW. According to the American Wind Energy Association, 15% of the nation’s wind capacity built since 2009 has been directly owned by utilities. They say the cost to install additional wind capacity has dropped 66% since 2008.
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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 Jeff Grainger or Joscelyn Bivins 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: Jeff Grainger or Joscelyn Bivins
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Tel 407 355-7767
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