FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
May 1, 2017
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LAST WEEK
Vero Beach Exit Option Review
FMPA has contracted with GDS Associates to conduct a third-party review of staff’s analysis providing preliminary information to member cities for an option for Vero Beach to transfer its entitlements in FMPA power projects to the All-Requirements Project so that Vero Beach can sell its electric system. Work on the review began in April. Contact: Jacob Williams
ARP Renewable Generation Credit Rate
The All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) renewable generation credit rate through June 2017 was emailed last week to members. The rate is $0.02615 per kWh. This credit represents the amount that ARP will pay project participants for retail customer-owned renewable generation. FMPA will purchase the excess electricity generated from the customer’s renewable energy system and reimburse the ARP participant at the ARP renewable generation credit rate. Members are encouraged to report the amount of excess electricity generated by their net metering customers to Ann Beckwith on a quarterly basis.
ARP Conservation Program
Retail customers in cities served by the All-Requirements Project (ARP) could potentially save 890,000 kWh per year and more than 10,500 MWh over the life of energy conservation measures funded during the first two quarters of fiscal 2017 by the project’s Conservation Program. The program’s second quarterly report through March 31, 2017, was emailed last week to members. Reimbursement from FMPA to members for expenses in the recent quarter should be provided in the next week or so. Several members have rollover funds from fiscal 2016 in their accounts. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Da
Students explored careers in electric utilities last Thursday as FMPA participated in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Eight students ages 6 through 12 participated in the event to lea how their parents or grandparents work together to provide reliable, affordable power for municipal electric utilities in Florida. The students toured FMPA headquarters as well as Cane Island Power Park in Kissimmee. Contact: Sharon Adams
Engineering Services RFQ
Thirty responses were received by last Tuesday’s deadline for FMPA’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking engineering firms to serve as the Agency’s consulting engineer of record, as well as firms interested in providing engineering services described in the RFQ. Staff will review the responses and rank the respondents by May 26. The RFQ is available for download on FMPA.com. Contact: Michele Jackson
KUA Alternate Board Representative
Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) appointed Kevin Crawford, Vice President of Finance and Risk Management, to replace Charles Lee as KUA’s alteate representative on FMPA’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee last Monday. Larry Matte remains the primary representative.
All-Requirements Project April Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s non-Contract Rate of Delivery peak for the month of March was 1,100 MW, which occurred April 28 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. The project’s load factor for April was 58%. 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 monthly peak was 122% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 107% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project monthly load for April is available on the Portal. Contact: Jim Arntz
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THIS WEEK
Member Services Satisfaction Survey
FMPA launches its biennial Member Services Satisfaction Survey on Monday with an online survey emailed to members. The survey seeks feedback on FMPA’s existing services and asks questions about potential new distribution services. The initial survey question provides a list of FMPA services and asks respondents to select which ones they have had experience with. The survey then only asks satisfaction questions for the selected services. This survey format is intended to streamline the questionnaire for a variety of potential respondents. There is no limit to the number of people from a member utility who can complete the survey, so FMPA members are encouraged to share the survey link with all members of their staff who have used FMPA member services. The survey includes up to 16 questions that should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Survey results will help FMPA benchmark current satisfaction and tailor new services to meet member needs. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
DEED Grants
The fall grant cycle opens Monday for the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) research and development program called Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED). FMPA pays DEED dues on behalf of FMPA members who are also APPA members. DEED members can apply for up to $125,000 in funding for innovative utility projects. Grants may be used to improve utilities by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, developing new technologies, offering new services, and improving processes to better serve customers. Information about how to apply can be found on APPA’s website. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
All-Requirements Project Anniversary
Monday marks the 31st anniversary of FMPA’s All-Requirements Project. Since beginning operation on May 1, 1986, the All-Requirements Project has given members control of their wholesale power supply and enabled municipal electric utilities to work together for their mutual benefit. All-Requirements’ has helped lower power costs, which has saved hundreds of millions of dollars shared by all Florida municipal utility customers. A historical photo collage is posted on FMPA’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages.
Linemen Roundtable
FMPA’s Linemen Roundtable meets Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Bushnell. The roundtable provides a forum for line crews to exchange information on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and other common issues. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
PGP Meeting
Jacob Williams travels to Atlanta on Tuesday to meet with staff from Public Gas Partners (PGP).
FRCC Planning Committee
Frank Gaffney travels to Tampa on Tuesday for a meeting of the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council’s (FRCC) Planning Committee.
Ocala Member Visit
Chris Gowder travels to Ocala on Wednesday for a member city visit.
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 April 30. Contact: Jim Arntz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Jamie Noon, who celebrates 12 years with FMPA on Tuesday, May 2.
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COMING UP
Business Planning and Budget Committee
FMPA’s Business Planning and Budget Committee will meet May 17 at 9 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. A call-in option will be available. Contact: Mark Larson
ARP Solar Business Model Workshop
FMPA’s Executive Committee will hold an ARP Solar Business Model Workshop on May 17 at 1 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The purpose of the workshop is to discuss options for the All-Requirements Project’s business model that would enable voluntary participation in a solar PV project. Lunch will be served at noon. Contact: Jacob Williams
FMPA Governing Board Meetings
FMPA’s goveing boards will meet May 18 in Orlando, including the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee, Board of Directors and ARP Executive Committee. Contact: Jacob Williams
APPA National Conference
The American Public Power Association’s (APPA) National Conference and Public Power Expo will be held June 16-21 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This is a great opportunity for members of Florida’s public power community to attend this national conference in our home state. APPA offers an introductory program to help first-time attendees navigate the conference. A conference mentor program pairs new attendees with seasoned conference-goers. More information on this program, along with registration information for the conference, is available on APPA’s website.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Small Cell Pole Attachment Bill Heads to Florida Governor for Final Consideration
A bill in the Florida Legislature regulating small cell pole attachments passed both chambers last Friday and is headed to Gov. Rick Scott for final consideration. The final version of the legislation includes an exemption for municipal electric utilities. The House version of the bill (HB 687) was read last Friday for a third time on the House floor and passed by a vote of 110-3. It was immediately sent to the Senate, where the bill was substituted for the Senate’s version of the bill (SB 596), read for a third time on the Senate floor and passed by a vote of 33-1. The legislation prohibits local govemental entities from regulating or prohibiting the collocation of small cell wireless facilities in public rights-of-way. The original version of the bill allowed the use of these devices on the poles of municipal electric utilities, in addition to any other local govement poles, such as street lights, street signs and traffic signals. The Florida Municipal Electric Association was successful at getting municipal electric utilities exempted from the bills.
Utility Natural Gas Drilling Bill Gets Backing, Changes
A bill what would allow Florida’s investor-owned electric utilities to invest in natural gas drilling projects and recoup the money from customers passed its final Florida Senate committee last Tuesday but received some new restrictions. The Rules Committee adopted several amendments by Sen. Jack Latvala. Among them was a provision that would limit investments to areas with at least a 50% probability of gas-producing reserves. A number of groups oppose the legislation, including the Sierra Club, AARP, Florida Retail Federation and Florida Industrial Power Users Group. Florida Power & Light and the bill’s supporters say that such investments can lead to long-term savings for customers. A companion bill is still awaiting hearings in the House.
Florida’s Environmental Secretary Position Draws Many Applicants
More than 140 people applied by last Friday’s deadline to be Florida’s next secretary for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), including Ryan Matthews, who has served the past three months as interim secretary. Former Secretary Jon Steverson announced in January that he was leaving the post. Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet approved Matthews’ interim appointment Feb. 1 and set an April 28 deadline for applications. Unlike most agency heads who answer only to the goveor, the DEP secretary falls under Scott and the Cabinet.
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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