FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Aug. 15, 2016
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LAST WEEK
Stanton Unit 1
Stanton Unit 1 came back online last Thursday after an extended outage to replace the generator rotor. Contact: David Schumann
Investment Advisory RFP
FMPA issued a request for proposal (RFP) last Wednesday for investment advisory services. The Agency is looking for a firm to benchmark the Agency’s investment portfolio, test for compliance with FMPA’s Bond Resolutions and Investment Policy, and be available on an ongoing basis for investment advice. The RFP is available on FMPA’s website. Proposals are due Aug. 31. Contact: Janet Davis
Grant Opportunities
Sharon Smeenk emailed a list of potential grant opportunities last Wednesday to interested FMPA members. The Member Services Department has purchased a subscription to Grantfinder.com to assist members in identifying potential funding sources. The service was purchased after several members requested assistance with grants and the service options were discussed with the Member Services Advisory Committee. Member Services is sending out periodic emails with grant opportunities. If you would like to receive these emails, contact Sharon Smeenk.
Market Research RFP
FMPA issued a request for proposal (RFP) last Friday for market research services related to the joint-action solar PV project. Thirteen member cities are participating in the project. A firm will be selected to help develop and implement a survey of customers in those cities about their attitudes toward solar power. The RFP is available on FMPA’s website. Proposals are due Sept. 2. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
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THIS WEEK
Management Performance Evaluations
Officers of FMPA’s Board of Directions will hold a conference call Wednesday at 8 a.m. to solicit input on the annual performance evaluations for the General Manager and CEO as well as the General Counsel and CLO. FMPA members are encouraged to participate in the call or submit written comments using the evaluation form that was emailed to the Board and Alteates. The evaluations are being conducted in accordance with the Board-approved procedure for the General Manager/General Counsel Evaluation Process. Contact: Nick Guarriello
DEED Funding Deadline
Monday is the deadline to apply for up to $125,000 in grants for innovative utility projects from APPA’s Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Development (DEED) program. DEED grants can be used to improve utility operations by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, pilot testing new services and demonstrating new technologies, processes and practices to better serve customers. Standard system upgrades, normal maintenance activities or capital improvement projects are not eligible. More information can be found on DEED’s funding page. FMPA pays DEED dues on behalf of FMPA members who are also APPA members. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Indian River County and Vero Beach
FMPA will participate in a conference call on Wednesday arranged by Indian River County and the city of Vero Beach to discuss any options for completing the sale of Vero’s municipal electric utility to Florida Power & Light. FMPA’s role is to answer any questions related to Vero’s commitments under FMPA power supply projects. Contact: Nick Guarriello
All-Requirements Project Weekly Load Statistics
The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph has been posted on the Portal. The graph is updated through Aug. 14. Contact: Jim Arntz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Carter Manucy, who celebrates 20 years with FMPA on Friday, Aug. 19.
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COMING UP
Compliance Workshop
The Compliance Department hosts a two-day Compliance Workshop on Aug. 23 and 24 at FMPA’s Orlando office. Discussion topics will include reliability standard implementation percentages and deadlines, as well as cyber mutual assistance. Contact: Carol Chinn
August Meetings
The August meetings for FMPA’s Board of Directors and the ARP Executive Committee will be held Aug. 25 in the Board room at FMPA’s Orlando office. The Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. The Executive Search Committee will hold a brief meeting at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Executive Committee meeting at 9:45 a.m. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Meter Tech Roundtable
Registration is now open for a Meter Tech Roundtable scheduled for Sept. 29 at Kissimmee Utility Authority. The roundtable provides a forum for meter technicians and maintenance staff to discuss topics such as operating procedures, equipment, safety, training and more. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Lineman Roundtable
FMPA’s Lineman’s Roundtable will be held Oct. 6 at Bushnell City Hall. The roundtable is open to all levels of line crew personnel as well as any utility staff member. It provides a forum for line crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and more. Registration is available on FMPA’s website. Contact: Sharon Samuels
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INDUSTRY NEWS
FPL Customers Wins Right to Intervene in Utility’s Rate Case
A couple from Loxahatchee, Fla., won the right last week to intervene in Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) rate case before the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). FPL is seeking a $1.34 billion rate increase. The utility opposed Daniel and Alexandria Larson’s intervention in the case saying the couple did not have any substantial interests unique to them that were not being addressed by other interveners. The Office of Public Counsel, AARP, Federal Executive Agencies and Florida Industrial Power Users Group have all intervened in the case. Commissioner Lisa Edger, serving as the prehearing officer, ruled last Tuesday that the Larsons met both factors required for intervention: they are FPL customers, and they will be substantially affected by any rate change. In 2012, FPL lost a similar effort to keep the Larsons from participating as interveners in that rate case. The PSC is scheduled to hold hearings on the rate case for two weeks starting Aug. 22.
Apple Approved to Sell Power
Apple was given approval last week by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to sell its excess renewable energy through Apple Energy LLC at market-based rates. The energy is being produced at Apple’s solar generating plants, as well as other generating facilities. FERC also ruled that Apple will be allowed to sell other ancillary services, such as regulation service, spinning reserve capability and voltage support services. In the filing, Apple says it owns nearly 20 MW of generating capacity in the Nevada Power Company service territory, 50 MW in the territory of Salt River Project in Arizona and 130 MW in the Califoia Independent System Operator’s market.
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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 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 learn 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.
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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. ®