FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Feb. 20, 2017
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LAST WEEK
Strategic Planning Session
FMPA’s Board of Directors and the ARP Executive Committee held a strategic planning session last Wednesday to identify the top priorities for the Agency. As part of the session, the member prioritized eight strategic issues, as follows: 1) evaluate multiple initiatives to lower costs to All-Requirements members and provide value to other municipals (tie), 1) provide business model alteatives and best options, 3) rate making efforts (cost recovery changes and load attraction), 4) maintaining and improving bond ratings and reduce debt, 5) significant enhancement of member services, 6) tell the positive story of FMPA and minimize negative issues, 7) develop strategic relationships for cost reduction, service expansion and risk mitigation, and 8) employment development, retention and succession planning. The top six priorities were the subject of further discussion in order to give staff ideas and direction. Contact: Jacob Williams
Investment Management Services
FMPA’s Board of Directors and ARP Executive Committee approved a proposal last Thursday for Public Trust Advisors (PTA) to provide investment advisory services for a portion of FMPA’s investment portfolio. The proposal resulted from a request for proposals for Investment Practice Review and Advisory Services. PTA has been approved to manage up to $200 million at a cost not to exceed $90,000 per year for a two-year trial period. Contact: Mark Larson or Linda Howard
Vero Beach Power Supply Contracts
FMPA’s Board of Directors last Thursday authorized General Manager and CEO Jacob Williams to convey to Vero Beach City Council that FMPA and its stakeholders have determined the current parameters of the proposed sale of Vero Beach’s electric customers in Indian River Shores does not violate any FMPA contract commitments. Jacob is scheduled to make a presentation to Vero Beach City Council this Tuesday evening.
Customer Survey on Solar Energy
FMPA’s Board of Directors heard a presentation last Thursday from Michael Vigeant of GreatBlue Research about the recently completed survey of retail customers regarding solar energy. The survey’s primary purpose was to measure the economic feasibility of a solar photovoltaic project among the customer bases of 10 participating FMPA members. Among the key findings in a composite report for all 10 cities was that 72% of residential customers believe there is a need to investigate solar. However, when customers were informed that solar energy would cost more than the current price of electricity, likelihood to pay more for solar declined to 38% of survey respondents and “not at all likely to participate was 45% of responses. Michael is available to help cities review their individual reports. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee met last Thursday and approved 1) an amendment to the Wells Fargo Credit Agreement for the line of credit, 2) a proposal for investment management services offered in response to a request for proposals for Investment Practice Review and Advisory Services, and 3) reclassifying approximately $20 million in variable operating expenses from the demand rate to the energy rate. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee
Sen. Debbie Mayfield sought and received approval last Thursday from the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee (JLAC) for a request directing the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Govement Accountability (OPPAGA) to conduct a study of FMPA. Sen. Mayfield said the review is intended to determine whether FMPA continues to adequately and efficiently serve the purposes for which it was created. Her written request listed nine specific areas of investigation. During the JLAC’s discussion of the request, Sen. Mayfield said FMPA has a new general manager and CEO, and he has FMPA headed in the right direction addressing issues related to Vero Beach’s electric utility, which is important to her constituents. As a result, she recommended that the OPPAGA study be delayed until October, which would allow FMPA time to work with Vero Beach. The motion passed unanimously.
Hotel Options
FMPA updated its list of recommended hotels near the Orlando office. The list of rates and booking information is posted on the Portal. Contact: Sharon Adams
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THIS WEEK
Vero Beach Council Meeting
Jacob Williams, Jody Finklea and Mark McCain travel to Vero Beach on Tuesday to attend the Vero Beach City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Jacob will present information about the sale of Indian River Shores customers and a preliminary option to help Vero Beach exit FMPA projects. The meeting can be viewed live on the city’s website.
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 Feb. 19 Contact: Jim Arntz
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COMING UP
APPA Legislative Rally
FMPA will be sending representatives to the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Legislative Rally on Feb. 27 through March 1. Forty-six representatives from 16 Florida cities will participate. While in Washington, D.C., they will meet with Florida’s Congressional delegation to discuss federal legislative issues related to electric utilities, including tax-exempt financing, grid security and environmental regulations. Contact: Mark McCain
Board of Directors Officers
FMPA’s Board of Directors officers will hold a telephonic meeting on March 6 at 11 a.m. to solicit input from Agency members on the six-month evaluation of Jacob Williams.
Human Resources Roundtable
Registration is now open for FMPA’s Human Resources Roundtable scheduled for April 6 at 10 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss human resources topics, such as benefits, recruiting, employee retention, training, policies and more. The roundtable is open to any utility staff member who is interested in human resources topics. Attendance is free, and lunch will be provided. Members can also participate via teleconference. The deadline to register is March 24. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Monroe County Urges FPL to Stop Using Turkey Point Cooling Canals
The Monroe County Commission passed a resolution last Wednesday urging Florida Power & Light (FPL) to stop using the cooling canals at the Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station. A study released March 7, 2016, indicated tritium—a radioactive isotope of hydrogen—has leaked from Turkey Point’s cooling canals into groundwater and toward Biscayne National Park and the Biscayne aquifer. The county cited conce about the impact the materials could have on the bay, Card Sound and the drinking water supply in the Florida Keys. Miami-Dade County passed a resolution last year asking FPL to retire the canals when the extension to operate the Turkey Point reactors expires in 2033. Last June, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection gave FPL 10 years to fix water-quality problems with the canals.
Senate Confirms Pruitt as EPA Administrator
The U.S. Senate confirmed Scott Pruitt last Friday as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), putting a prominent legal opponent of the agency in charge of President Trump’s efforts to roll back environmental regulations begun under the Obama administration. Senators voted 52 to 46 to confirm Pruitt, the Oklahoma attoey general who has sued to block the EPA’s Clean Power Plan and the agency’s Waters of the United States rule. Pruitt was officially swo in as administrator last Friday. As soon as this week, the Trump administration reportedly will issue directives scaling back high-profile EPA regulations.
Community Solar Projects Expected to Grow
Community solar projects are expected to increase to more than 25% of the solar market in the next three years, according to a report released by GMT Research. The report estimates that 218 MW of community solar installations came online in 2016, four times the capacity that came online in 2015. The utility-scale solar market is estimated to be 10 GW annually, compared to the residential market that is estimated at 1 GW annually, according to the report.
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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 Sean Murtha 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.
Have a question, comment or story idea for the newsletter? FMPA welcomes your feedback at any time. Contact: Jeff Grainger or Sean Murtha
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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<br />
Community Power. Statewide Strength. ®