FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Aug. 7, 2017
LAST WEEK
Substation and Generating Station Maintenance Bid
FMPA issued an https://fmpa.com/invitation-to-bid-substation-maintenance/>
New Smya Beach Visit
Frank Gaffney and Chris Gowder traveled to New Smya Beach last Friday to discuss power supply for upcoming power needs.
Fort Pierce Representatives
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority appointed new representatives last Friday to FMPA’s goveing boards. Interim Director of Utilities John Tompeck will serve as the primary representative to FMPA’s Board of Directors, and Paul Jakubczak, Director of Electric and Gas Systems, will serve as the alteate. For the ARP Executive Committee, Paul will be the primary representative and John will be the alteate.
THIS WEEK
Vero Beach City Council Meeting
Jacob Williams travels to Vero Beach on Tuesday to provide a status update to Vero Beach City Council.
NERC Meetings
Carol Chinn travels to Ottawa Tuesday through Thursday to attend the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) Board of Trustees and Member Representatives Committee meetings.
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Wednesday at 2 p.m. via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project Rate Workshop. The agenda includes: 1) a natural gas market update, 2) an overview of July loads, 3) a resource update for July, and 4) a review of July rate calculations. Contact: Jason Wolfe
FGU Board of Directors
Jacob Williams and Rich Popp will participate in the Florida Gas Utility (FGU) Board of Directors meeting on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Board room of FMPA’s Orlando office.
Special Dates
Congratulations to Sharon Adams, who celebrates 16 years with FMPA on Sunday, Aug. 13.
Congratulations to Rattanak Srun, who celebrates five years with FMPA on Sunday, Aug. 13.
COMING UP
Goveing Boards
FMPA’s goveing boards will meet Aug. 24 in FMPA’s Orlando office. The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee will meet at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Board of Directors at 9:30 a.m., and the Executive Committee at 10 a.m. Contact: Jacob Williams
Excellence as a Supervisor
The first module of Series II of FMPA’s Excellence as a Supervisor training will be held Sept. 12-13 at FMPA’s Orlando office. The cost for the series is $1,100 per person. This training is designed for first-line supervisors, middle-level supervisors and prospective supervisors. Series II provides information on selection and development of employees, performance evaluations, employee motivation, leading change, as well as an overview of ensuring a harassment-free and respectful workplace. https://fmpa.com/event/excellence-as-a-supervisor-series-ii-5/>
Meter Tech Roundtable
FMPA will hold a Meter Tech Roundtable on Sept. 20 in Jacksonville. The roundtable is a forum to discuss topics such as policies, procedures, equipment, technology, safety, training, apprentice programs and more. The roundtable is open to anyone who has an interest in metering or meter-related topics. There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided. https://fmpa.com/event/meter-tech-roundtable/>
INDUSTRY NEWS
OUC General Manager & CEO Announces Retirement
Orlando Utilities Commission’s (OUC) General Manager & CEO Ken Ksionek announced July 28 his plans to retire effective Feb. 1, 2018, after more than 32 years of service to OUC. Ksionek began working for OUC in 1985 as Director of Construction for the Stanton Energy Center Unit 1. He held several positions with OUC before being named General Manager & CEO in October 2004. Ksionek also serves on the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council and Florida Municipal Power Pool. A selection committee has been created, and a nationwide search will be conducted for his successor.
Duke Energy Requests Energy Rate Increase
Duke Energy Florida filed a proposed energy rate increase last week to recoup about $200 million from customers as a result of higher-than-expected fuel costs in 2016 and 2017. This proposal comes two months after the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) denied Duke’s request for a mid-year energy rate increase. The PSC postponed Duke’s last request after regulators questioned the utility’s changing forecasts. The filing last week seeks a true-up of $195.5 million in fuel costs and $5.1 million in other costs. The PSC will consider whether or not to grant the rate increase at a hearing in October.
Meetings Set to Consider Candidates for PSC
The Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Nominating Council will hold two meetings in August to develop nominations for three seats on the commission. A total of 14 people applied for two seats currently held by Commissioners Ronald Brise and Art Graham, including the two incumbents who are seeking reappointment. The third seat, formerly held by Jimmy Patronis, received 23 applicants, including some who also applied for the other two seats. The first meeting will be held Wednesday in Tampa to determine the most qualified candidates for the job. The council will meet again Aug. 17 in Orlando to conduct interviews and select final nominees to send to Gov. Rick Scott, who will make the appointments.
Appeals Court to Hear Challenge to Nuclear Cost Recovery Law
A federal appeals court will hear arguments in a class-action lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Florida law that allows investor-owned utilities to collect money from customers for the development of nuclear-power projects. The plaintiffs seek restitution for $2 billion in costs collected and to prevent future nuclear cost collection. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled Aug. 22 to take up the case, which stems from a 2006 law designed to help encourage the development of nuclear power in Florida. A federal district judge last year dismissed the case, prompting the plaintiffs to go to the Atlanta-based appeals court. The 2006 law has been controversial because it allows utilities to collect money for nuclear projects that might never be built.
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 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
Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
http://www.fmpa.com/>
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