FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
July 3, 2017
LAST WEEK
All-Requirements Project Bond Refinancing
FMPA closed last Tuesday on more than $122 million in All-Requirements Project refunding revenue bonds, Series 2017A and Series 2017B. The bonds were underwritten by JP Morgan and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey in a negotiated sale. The true interest cost was 2.21% for the Series 2017A bonds and 2.95% for the Series 2017B bonds. Contact: Mark Larson
Bartow Bid
FMPA met with staff from the City of Bartow and its consultants last Thursday to discuss terms of the power purchase agreement awarded in June to FMPA. Contract language is being developed and will be reviewed by FMPA’s Legal Department. The contract will be presented in August to the Executive Committee for consideration. Contact: Frank Gaffney
Cybersecurity
With recent cyberattacks, including “WannaCry and “Petya, FMPA encourages its members to stay up to date with cybersecurity developments. Industry experts recommend that electric utilities keep up with computer software patching, educate employees about suspicious emails with malicious links or attachments, and monitor computer networks for abnormal traffic. FMPA members can contact Cyber Security Manager Carter Manucy if they need help with cybersecurity recommendations.
General Funds Transfer Survey
FMPA launched its annual survey of general fund transfer policies among its members last Thursday. The comparative data will show retail sales, total operating electric revenues and electric fund transfers for each member. A link to the survey was included in an email from Michelle Pisarri. Responses are requested by July 21. The results will be posted on the Portal in August. Contact: Michele Jackson
THIS WEEK
Independence Day
FMPA’s offices will be closed Tuesday in celebration of Independence Day. Have a safe and happy holiday.
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Friday at 2 p.m. via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project Rate Workshop. The agenda includes: 1) an update on natural gas markets and liquidity, 2) an overview of June operations, loads, costs and rate calculations, and 3) estimated rates for July and August. Contact: Jason Wolfe
ARP Conservation Program
All-Requirements Project (ARP) members are reminded to submit third quarter Conservation Reports for April 2017 through June 2017 to Sharon Smeenk by July 17. The quarterly report form is available on the Portal. Those with no activity to report are still asked to email Sharon to let her know.
Special Dates
Congratulations to Trent Lewis, who celebrates two years with FMPA on Thursday, July 6.
Congratulations to Tina Allen, who celebrates 14 years with FMPA on Sunday, July 9.
COMING UP
FMEA Annual Conference
The Florida Municipal Electric Association’s (FMEA) Annual Conference is coming up July 18-20 at the Sawgrass Marriot in Ponte Vedra Beach. The conference includes general sessions and breakout sessions on a variety of industry topics, including: 1) a Florida perspective on the future of energy, 2) how to get disaster assistance, and 3) how to improve cybersecurity. Registration is available on FMEA’s website. FMPA is planning a special luncheon presentation on Thursday during the conference.
Governing Board Meetings
FMPA’s goveing boards will meet July 19 at the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s Annual Conference. The Board of Directors will meet at 8 a.m., and the Executive Committee will meet at 8:30 a.m., or immediately following the Board of Directors meeting. The Policy Makers Liaisons Committee will meet July 20 at 3 p.m. Contact: Jacob Williams
Spill Prevention Plans and Spill Response for Electric Utilities Workshop
Registration is still open for FMPA’s Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans and Spill Response for Electric Utilities Workshop, which will be held Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. This workshop will assist member utilities with developing and implementing an effective SPCC plan. The course will present information on best practices for minimizing risks associated with spills and how to effectively respond if a spill occurs. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
INDUSTRY NEWS
Two Killed, Four Critically Injured in Accident at Tampa Electric Power Plant
Two people were killed and four more were critically injured last Thursday in an industrial accident at the Big Bend Power Station, a Tampa Electric Company power plant in Apollo Beach. The workers were reportedly performing routine maintenance on the slag tank for Unit 2, a coal-fired plant. The tank collects coal slag, a glass-like waste product formed after the remains of bued coal are mixed with cold water. The two workers who died were said to have accidentally been covered in slag, which reaches very high temperatures. Five of the workers involved were contractors. One of those killed was a Tampa Electric employee.
OUC Solar Farm Nearing Completion
The Orlando Utilities Commission’s (OUC) largest solar farm, comprised of 37,544 solar panels capable of generating almost 13 MW, is nearly complete. The solar farm consists of two sites occupying 24 acres at the Stanton Energy Center. One of the sites is atop the coal combustion byproduct landfill. Once connected to the electric grid later this summer, the solar farm will produce enough energy for approximately 2,100 homes. OUC has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement for output from the facility.
Third PSC Seat Open to Applicants
A third seat on the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is open following the resignation June 25 of Jimmy Patronis. Gov. Rick Scott appointed Patronis on June 26 to serve as Florida’s chief financial officer. The PSC will establish an application process in the coming weeks to fill the vacant position.
Southern Company Suspends Operations at Kemper Plant
Southe Company suspended operations at the Kemper County Energy Facility near Meridian, Mississippi, last Wednesday, a week after the Mississippi Public Service Commission’s (PSC) asked its staff to develop a new docket conceing cost recovery and the Kemper project’s future operations. Southe has spent more than $7.5 billion on an experimental carbon capture technology that would allow the plant to use lignite coal but produce low carbon emissions equal to a natural gas-fired plant.
Svinicki to Serve Third Term on NRC
Senators confirmed Kristine Svinicki last Monday as President Donald Trump’s nominee for a third term on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Svinicki will serve as chair of the commission during her renewed term. Her reappointment ensures the NRC will maintain a quorum.
FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA for employees and governing boards of FMPA member utilities. Questions or comments about this newsletter may be directed to Jeff Grainger or Holly Cammisa 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 Holly Cammisa