FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Jan. 8, 2018
LAST WEEK
Bill Comparison
Town of Havana had the lowest residential electric rates of any utility in Florida for November, according to the bill comparison released last week by the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA). Out of 15 rate categories, Havana reported the lowest bills in nine categories and Lakeland reported the lowest in six. The comparison also showed that the 10 lowest residential electric rates are from municipal utilities. The http://publicpower.com/2018/fmea-releases-monthly-bill-comparison-november/#more-16174>
Member City Visits
Mike McCleary traveled to Gainesville and Williston last week for member city visits. Mike will conduct an operational review for another member later this month to help identify opportunities for efficiency. Members interested in scheduling a review or requesting operational assistance are encouraged to do so by sending Mike an email.
Grant Opportunities
Sharon Smeenk emailed a list of potential grant opportunities last Tuesday to interested FMPA members. The Member Services Department has a subscription to Grantfinder.com to assist members in identifying potential funding sources. The service was purchased after several members requested assistance with grants and the service options were discussed with the Member Services Advisory Committee. Member Services sends out periodic emails with grant opportunities. If you would like to receive the emails, contact Sharon Smeenk.
CEO Meeting
Jacob Williams travelled to Juno Beach last Thursday to meet with Florida Power & Light CEO Eric Silagy. The two discussed issues of importance to Florida utilities.
THIS WEEK
APPA Joint Action Workshop
Jacob Williams and Carol Chinn attend the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Joint Action Workshop in La Jolla, Califoia, on Monday and Tuesday. Jacob is giving presentations on communicating the value of public power and on Florida’s response to Hurricane Irma.
Vero Beach Member City Votes
Two FMPA member cities are scheduled to vote this week on a resolution that would enable the City of Vero Beach to sell its electric utility. Jacob Williams, Jody Finklea and Chris Gowder travel to Fort Meade on Tuesday and Jacob travels to St. Cloud for a vote on Thursday.
Member City Visit
Jacob Williams travels to Lake Worth on Wednesday to make a presentation to the Lake Worth Electric Utility Advisory Board on the proposed sale of Vero Beach’s electric utility.
Regional Crew Leader Roundtables
The first of five regional crew leader roundtables will be held Tuesday in Williston and Wednesday in Chattahoochee. Both start at 10 a.m. The roundtables are designed to provide an opportunity for foremen or crew leaders to meet with their counterparts from other member utilities within a region of Florida. The next roundtable will be Jan. 18 in Leesburg, and https://fmpa.com/event/fmpa-regional-crew-leader-roundtable-hosted-by-the-city-of-leesburg-january-18-2018/>
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Tuesday at 2 p.m. via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project Rate Workshop. The agenda includes: 1) natural gas markets update, 2) overview of December loads, 3) resource update for December, and 4) review of December ARP rate calculation. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Utility Rate Services RFP
The deadline for firms to respond to FMPA’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for Utility Rate Services is Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Once a contract is awarded, members will have access to rate review services. The https://fmpa.com/request-for-proposals-utility-rate-services/>
Fiscal 2017 Audited Financial Statements Q&A
FMPA’s Accounting Department hosts a question and answer session via conference call on Thursday at 9 a.m. to discuss FMPA’s fiscal 2017 audited financial statements. The financials were emailed Dec. 20 and are available on the Portal. The financials will be an action item on the Jan. 18 agendas for the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee, Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Contact: Mark Larson
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 Jan. 7. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Chris Gowder, who celebrates 17 years with FMPA on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
COMING UP
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
FMPA’s offices will be closed next Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
AURSI Webinar
Part two of FMPA’s Advanced Utility Resources and Supply, Inc. (AURSI) webinar will be held Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. The free webinar will focus on how AURSI can accelerate members’ quoting and bidding process. Many FMPA members already use AURSI, so this is an opportunity for those who don’t to lea about the benefits. Visit FMPA’s website to https://fmpa.com/event/webinar-overview-of-aursi-web-based-procurement-platform-part-2/>
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee will meet Jan. 17 in FMPA’s Orlando office. Lunch will be served at noon, and the business meeting begins at 1 p.m. Contact: Mark McCain
Goveing Board Meetings
FMPA’s goveing boards will meet Jan. 18 in FMPA’s Orlando office. The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee (AROC) meets at 8:30 a.m. The Board of Directors meets at 9 a.m., or immediately following the AROC meeting. The Executive Committee meets at 10 a.m., or immediately following the Board of Directors meeting. Contact: Jacob Williams
FEMA Procurement Workshop
Interested members should save the date for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) procurement workshop on Feb. 14. A law firm that has expertise in FEMA reimbursement, Baker Donelson, will provide a toolkit for members to help meet FEMA reimbursement requirements. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
NIMS Training
FMPA will host a free training class for the National Incident Management System (NIMS) on March 27-29. NIMS is a comprehensive, nationwide-standard approach to incident management. It provides a consistent framework enabling govements, the private sector and nongovemental organizations to work together more effectively in emergencies. There are several prerequisites that must be completed prior to attending the training. Contact Mike McCleary for information on the prerequisites and instructions for registering.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Florida Power & Light (FPL) said last week it will delay its request to recover costs for Hurricane Irma from its customers. The utility announced plans in October to ask the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to collect an estimated $1.3 billion. An FPL spokesperson said they are delaying the request to study changes in the federal tax code and the effect on the company. Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Company have requests pending before the PSC to recover storm-related costs.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/energy/Westinghouse-Toshiba-s-troubled-nuclear-unit-is-acquired_164195524>
Westinghouse Electric, the nuclear power division of Toshiba, was acquired last Thursday by a private equity firm. Westinghouse has filed for bankruptcy protection. The deal with Brookfield Business Partners is valued at $4.6 billion but does not involve cash, according to Westinghouse. The deal is expected to clear the way for the completion of the Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia. Westinghouse’s V.C. Summer project in South Carolina was abandoned last July. Westinghouse was also slated to build two reactors in Levy County, Florida, before those plans were cancelled by Duke Energy Florida in 2014.
The Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday for the 60-day, regular legislative session. The Legislature is expected to consider bills related to hurricane preparedness, such as mandatory backup generators at nursing homes. Also of note this year is activities of the Constitution Revision Commission and proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution that may affect electric utilities or cities. The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) will hold its annual Legislative Rally in Tallahassee on Feb. 5-6. Visit FMEA’s website for additional details and to http://publicpower.com/fmea-legislative-rally/>
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 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
Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
http://www.fmpa.com>www.fmpa.com
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