FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Oct. 30, 2017
LAST WEEK
SANS Cyber Security Training
Konrad Lisiewicz and Carter Manucy recently attended a cyber security training offered by the Sans Institute where they achieved the top score in a SANS Netwars event. The training included a table-top exercise where participants worked in teams to respond to a fictitious scenario that simulated a grid cyber security breach.
Leesburg Board Representatives
The Leesburg City Commission appointed Electric Director Glenn Spurlock as the city’s representative to FMPA’s Board of Directors and the ARP Executive Committee. City Manager Al Minner will serve as the city’s alteate representative.
Vero Beach Review Sessions
Jody Finklea sent emails to members last Monday containing documents for Vero Beach’s Consent and Waivers. Review sessions will be held via conference call on Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. and Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. If you are not able to attend either session, contact Jody to schedule a different time.
ARP Renewable Generation Credit Rate
The All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) renewable generation credit rate through December 2017 was emailed to members. The rate is $0.02888 per kWh. This credit represents the amount that the ARP will pay project participants for retail customer-owned renewable generation. FMPA will purchase any excess electricity generated from the customer’s renewable energy system for the benefit of the ARP and its member communities. 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 electric customers in cities served by the All-Requirements Project (ARP) could potentially save 1.4 million kWh per year and more than 17,000 MWh over the useful life of the measures funded in fiscal 2017 by the ARP Conservation Program. The program’s fourth quarter report through Sept. 30 was emailed last week to members. Reimbursement from FMPA to members for expenses in the recent quarter should be provided soon. Additional funds for fiscal 2018 are available as of Oct. 1, and several members have rollover funds from fiscal 2017 in their accounts. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
THIS WEEK
Fiscal 2017 Audit
FMPA’s exteal auditor, Purvis, Gray & Company, begins the fiscal 2017 audit on Monday. The auditors plan to be at FMPA’s Orlando office for two to three weeks. The results will be presented to the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee during an exit conference in December. The committee will review the results and make recommendations to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee in January. Contact: Rick Minch
APPA Legislative Rally
FMPA members who plan to attend the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) annual Legislative Rally scheduled for Feb. 26-28, 2018, in Washington should make their hotel reservations as soon as possible. The https://aws.passkey.com/event/49376432/owner/1261/landing/closed>
Member Services Advisory Committee
The Member Services Advisory Committee meets Wednesday at 10 a.m. via conference call to discuss information items, including: 1) Member Services Satisfaction Survey results, 2) update on FMPA salary survey process, 3) updates on purchasing and procurement services, and 4) overview of potential new initiatives. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Member City Visit
Frank Gaffney travels to Lake Worth on Wednesday to give a presentation on the proposed sale of Vero Beach’s electric utility.
Utility Communicators Roundtable
Communicators from Florida’s municipal electric utilities meet Thursday at 10 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office to discuss issues common to communications and marketing departments at public power utilities. The roundtable is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Special Dates
Congratulations to Ellen Leatherman, who celebrates 10 years with FMPA on Sunday, Nov. 5.
COMING UP
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee will meet Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project Rate Workshop. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Meter Tech Roundtable
FMPA will hold a Meter Tech Roundtable on Nov. 29 in Jacksonville. The roundtable is a forum to discuss topics such as policies, procedures, equipment, technology, safety, training, apprentice programs and more. The roundtable will be hosted by JEA and includes a tour of JEA’s metering facilities. The event is open to anyone who has an interest in metering or meter-related topics. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
INDUSTRY NEWS
Florida Power & Light (FPL) said last Thursday that it plans to submit a request to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to recoup an estimated $1.3 billion from customers to cover the costs of restoring electricity after Hurricane Irma. If approved, the surcharges would appear on customers’ electric bills beginning March 2018 and continue through 2020. An FPL residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would pay an additional $4 per month during 2018, and then increase to $5.50 per month in 2019-2020. The PSC will have 60 days after the filing date to make a decision. Florida Public Counsel J.R. Kelly said FPL is within its rights to proceed with a $4 surcharge for 12 months, but that he would likely contest an Irma storm surcharge as high as $5.50 per month.
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously approved Duke Energy Florida’s settlement agreement, which eliminates building nuclear reactors in Levy County and increases base rates by $67 million per year from 2019 through 2021. Beginning January 2018, the electric bills of Duke residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month will decrease $2.50 without the nuclear cost recovery fee. However, the settlement allows Duke to collect $196 million in underestimated fuel costs, resulting in a base-rate increase from $117.05 to $123.88. This is less than the $128.54 per 1,000 kWh that Duke originally projected. Under the settlement, Duke also commits to building 175 MW in solar projects annually for four years, and Duke cannot propose any additional rate increases until after 2021.
Tampa Electric Company (TECO) customers will see an increase in electric bills beginning January 2018, after the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the utility’s request for updated fuel charges and other adjustments. Investor-owned utilities typically go before the PSC each year to get approval for costs that are passed on to consumers. A TECO residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month will pay $106, an increase of $1.32. TECO said the increase is needed because refunds to customers in 2017 as a result of the utility collecting too much money for fuel during the previous year will end in 2018.
Two bills filed in the Florida Legislature for 2018 would give the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) exclusive jurisdiction to determine if underground transmission lines are required for power plant projects. Rep. Jayer Williamson, (R-Pace), filed the House version of the proposal (HB 405) on Monday, nearly two weeks after Sen. Tom Lee, (R-Thonotosassa), filed an identical Senate bill (SB 494). The proposal is a result of a 2016 decision by the 3rd District Court of Appeal’s ruling in a dispute between Florida Power & Light and local govements about transmission-line issues related to a nuclear-power project in Miami-Dade County. The bills, filed for the 2018 session, would ensure the PSC makes such decisions, not the Goveor and his Cabinet. The Senate passed a version of the bill during the 2017 session, but the measure did not come up for a vote in the House.
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
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