FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
May 8, 2017
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LAST WEEK
Vero Beach Meeting
The Vero Beach City Council meeting originally scheduled for May 9 was rescheduled for May 16. The purpose of the meeting is to hear from Florida Power & Light about its potential purchase of the city’s electric utility. Jacob Williams will attend the May 16 meeting at 9:30 a.m. and make a presentation about FMPA’s efforts to facilitate the sale.
Bartow Bid Update
FMPA staff met last week with consultants for the City of Bartow to discuss the city’s Invitation to Negotiate Power Supply procurement. FMPA’s full-requirements bid is on the short list for consideration. Contact: Frank Gaffney
Member Services Satisfaction Survey
The biennial Member Services Satisfaction Survey was launched last Monday. Members should have received an email from Sharon Smeenk with a link to the online survey. FMPA is seeking input on all of its services. There is no limit to the number of people at each utility who can take the survey, so the link can be shared with any utility staff members who has input. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Survey responses are requested by May 19. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Florida Gas Utility
Jacob Williams was elected Vice-Chair of Florida Gas Utility’s (FGU) Board of Directors last Monday. FGU provides natural gas services to utilities, including FMPA.
United Way Book Drive
FMPA is participating in United Way’s Day of Action, providing low-income students with books to encourage reading and increase literacy. There is a box in the lobby of the Orlando office to collect any new or gently used books for children in grades kindergarten through 12. The deadline to donate is May 31. Contact: Sharon Adams
Cane Island Unit 2
Cane Island Unit 2 came back online last Friday after a planned maintenance outage. Contact: David Schumann
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THIS WEEK
FM Global Site Visit
FM Global, FMPA’s insurance provider, will visit Treasure Coast Energy Center on Tuesday and Cane Island Power Park on Wednesday for annual inspections. Contact: Rich Popp
Jacksonville Beach Visit
Jacob Williams travels to Jacksonville Beach on Friday for a member city visit.
Special Dates
Congratulations to Lindsay Lister, who celebrates 11 years with FMPA on Monday, May 8.
Congratulations to Vickey Bidwell, who celebrates nine years with FMPA on Sunday, May 14.
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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 Goveing Board Meetings
FMPA’s goveing boards, as well as the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee, will meet May 18 at FMPA’s Orlando office. Contact: Jacob Williams
Safety Compliance for Electric Utilities Course
FMPA will offer a Safety Compliance for Electric Utilities course on June 28-29 in Orlando. This two-day course provides an overview of various safety-related requirements specific to electric utilities. This training is for managers, engineers, superintendents, crew leaders and line workers who want a better understanding of OSHA and NESC working rules. Florida Professional Engineers can ea 10 professional development hours for completing this course. The cost to attend is $400 and includes lunch both days. Registration and more information is available on FMPA.com. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
FMEA Annual Conference
Registration is now open for the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s (FMEA) Annual Conference scheduled for July 18-20 at the Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra Beach. FMPA’s business meetings will be held Wednesday, July 19, and the annual FMPA luncheon will be held Thursday, July 20.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Solar Amendment Plan Passes Florida Legislature
An implementation bill to carry out the solar constitutional amendment approved last August by Florida voters passed both houses of the Florida Legislature last week. The measure extends renewable-energy tax breaks to commercial and industrial properties for 20 years. The final bill includes a provision that allows local govements to tax up to 20% of the property used for a renewable energy source device and includes provisions that would require solar installers to provide an estimate of a buyer’s or lessee’s utility charges. The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Scott for his consideration.
Pollution Notification Bill Headed to Governor
Gov. Rick Scott says he will sign a bill that requires public notification of pollution incidents after the measure passed both the Florida House and Senate last week. The bill would require owners or operators of a facility responsible for pollution to report an incident to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) within 24 hours. DEP would then be required to post that information on its website within 24 hours.
PSC Approves Gulf Power Rate Increase
The Florida Public Service Commission approved final rates last Thursday for Gulf Power Company’s previously approved settlement agreement for a base-rate increase. Gulf Power originally requested additional revenue of $106 million and a retu on equity of 11%. The settlement provides an additional $62 million and a retu on equity of 10.25%. Effective July 1, a Gulf residential customer using 1,000 kWh a month will see their bill increase by $6.20 to $137.63.
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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