FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
March 19, 2018
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LAST WEEK
Municipal Solar Project
The city commissions in Alachua, Wauchula and Winter Park approved resolutions last week authorizing participation in the municipal solar project. Twelve cities have agreed to participate, enabling a commitment to three 74.5 MW solar farms. The total of 223.5 MW makes this one of the largest municipal-backed solar projects in the United States. The project’s economies of scale is beneficial to customers because it makes the solar output significantly cheaper than rooftop or small-scale community systems. Contact: Chris Gowder
Cost Competitiveness Workshop
FMPA’s Executive Committee held a workshop last Wednesday on cost competitiveness for All-Requirements participants. Staff was directed to present a variety of options as an information item for the April meeting. Contact: Jacob Williams
Municipal Disclosure Training
FMPA held municipal disclosure training last Thursday for its Board of Directors and Executive Committee members. Liz Columbo and Barry Rothchild from Nixon Peabody, FMPA’s bond counsel, explained disclosure responsibilities under federal securities laws. The presentation was emailed last Friday by Sue Utley to FMPA’s Board of Directors and alteates.
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Thursday and approved: 1) human resources policy, and 2) financial advisory agreements with Dunlap & Associates, Inc. and PFM Financial Advisors LLC. The Board tabled action items related to the Vero Beach transaction and the municipal solar project until a special called telephonic meeting on March 21 at 10 a.m. The agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Executive Committee
FMPA’s Executive Committee met last Thursday and approved financial advisor agreements with Dunlap & Associates, Inc. and PFM Financial Advisors LLC. The committee tabled action items related to the Vero Beach transaction, the municipal solar project, and amendments to the ARP contract rate schedule until a special called telephonic meeting March 21 at 10 a.m., or immediately after the Board of Directors meeting. The agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Member Relations Survey
FMPA’s biennial Board of Directors Member Relations Survey is now underway. A link to the nine-question online survey was emailed to Board of Directors representatives last Wednesday by Jeff Grainger. As a member-owned organization, the relationship between members and staff is essential to our mutual success. Conducting this survey is one way FMPA gathers feedback to continue building that relationship. Responses are due March 28. The results of the survey will be shared with members and staff in May. Contact: Mark McCain
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THIS WEEK
Communication Task Force
The Communication Task Force for the municipal solar project meets Tuesday at 10 a.m. via conference call to plan an announcement event for the project. Contact: Mark McCain
Governing Board Telephonic Meetings
FMPA’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet via conference call Wednesday at 10 a.m. to consider the items tabled from last Thursday’s meeting. The Executive Committee is scheduled to meet immediately following the Board of Directors to consider tabled items from last week’s meeting. Contact: Jacob Williams
GIS Roundtable
FMPA hosts a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) roundtable Thursday at FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for GIS staff from member utilities to exchange information, share best practices and network with peers. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
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 March 18. Contact: Jim Arntz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Michelle Pisarri, who celebrates 13 years with FMPA on Wednesday, March 21.
Congratulations to Peter Moore, who celebrates 14 years with FMPA on Thursday, March 22.
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COMING UP
NIMS Training
There are still a few spots left for the National Incident Management System (NIMS) training class, which will be held March 27-29 at FMPA’s Orlando office. NIMS is a comprehensive, nationwide-standard approach to incident management and provides a framework that helps govements, the private sector and nongovemental organizations to work more effectively in emergency situations. There are several prerequisites that must be completed prior to attending. For information on the prerequisites and registering contact Mike McCleary.
CREAC Meeting
FMPA’s Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (CREAC) will meet March 27 at 1:30 p.m. via conference call to discuss the funding allocation for the ARP Conservation Program for fiscal 2019. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Human Resources Roundtable
This is the last week to register for the Human Resources (HR) roundtable scheduled for April 5 in FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss HR topics, such as benefits, recruiting, retention, training, policies and more. The roundtable is free, and lunch will be provided. Participation via teleconference will be available for those unable to attend in person. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Report: FPL Shelves Turkey Point Plans
Florida Power & Light (FPL) is shelving plans to build two new nuclear reactors at its Turkey Point plant in south Florida, according to a report from Miami’s mayor released earlier this month. Mayor Carlos Giménez, in a memo to city commissioners, says economic conditions have changed and the units will not be constructed in the foreseeable future. The report says the existing Turkey Point units are in “like new condition. That, combined with low natural gas prices, means the additional capacity is not needed now. An FPL official said putting off plans for two new reactors means they can focus on reclaiming wastewater to relieve pressure that the existing units put on the aquifer.
FERC Adjusts for Tax Law Changes
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced policy changes last week to adjust for lower corporate income tax rates. The moves will not impact electric utilities that include an input for the utility’s cost of paying corporate income taxes in its transmission formula rates. However, FERC issued a “show cause order to any utility that includes a fixed price in its transmission rates for corporate income taxes. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 reduced corporate income tax rates from a maximum of 35% to a flat 21%. FERC is also requiring operators of interstate natural gas pipelines to either reduce rates, commit to reducing rates soon or explain why a rate adjustment is not needed.
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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 Mason Troche 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 Mason Troche