FMPA Weekly | March 26, 2018 | Member Edition

FMPA Weekly

 

A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members

 

 March 26, 2018

 

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LAST WEEK

 

Vero Beach Transaction

FMPA’s goveing boards gave final approval last Wednesday to agreements enabling the city of Vero Beach to exit FMPA’s power projects and sell its electric utility. The unanimous approvals by the Board of Directors and Executive Committee were the last step after the required 19 cities had agreed to Vero Beach’s buy out of its FMPA contracts. Since the plan was announced last February, FMPA’s management visited all 19 member cities numerous times to meet with local elected officials and make presentations prior to city votes. FMPA also secured necessary approvals from its bond trustee, credit rating agencies, other financial stakeholders and the primary owner-operators of the generating units. Contact: Jacob Williams

 

Municipal Solar Project

FMPA’s Board of Directors approved a resolution last Wednesday forming a Solar Project, the Agency’s first new unit-specific power supply project since 1990. The Solar Project has six participants, three of which have not previously participated in an FMPA power project. Equally important, the Executive Committee approved agreements last Wednesday for solar power purchases that allow All-Requirements Project (ARP) members to individually decide whether or not to participate in this resource addition. Five of the ARP members opted for solar energy. The 11 total participating cities plus Orlando Utilities Commission’s individual power purchase results in a total of 223.5 MW of solar energy, making this combined resource one of the largest municipal-backed solar projects in the United States. With the cities joining together to create economies of scale, the cost of solar energy from this project is one-third the cost of a typical rooftop solar system. Contact: Chris Gowder

 

Member Relations Survey

FMPA’s Board of Directors members are encouraged to respond by Wednesday to the Agency’s biennial Member Relations Survey. A link to the nine-question online questionnaire was emailed to Board representatives on March 14 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. Survey results will be shared with members and staff in May. Contact: Mark McCain

 

3 Phase Times

FMPA’s Power Resources Division published the February 2018 edition of 3 Phase Times last week. This monthly report provides information about the All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) system peak, hourly loads, resource fuel mix, natural gas usage, natural gas pricing and more performance information. The report shows peak demand in February was 14% lower than budget, but sales were 1.3% above forecast. Natural gas represented 89% of ARP’s total energy sources in February. Increased coal generation resulted in less output from natural gas-fired generation and reduced pool sales. ARP sold 20% of its generation to the Florida Municipal Power Pool (FMPP). Pool sales helped offset ARP costs by 85 cents per MWh. The FMPP Average Monthly Gas Dispatch Price in February was $2.90 per MMBtu, which was 56 cents below budget. The equivalent availability factor of FMPA’s base-load units in February was 100%, which is higher than the annual projection. For more information, download 3 Phase Times from the Portal. Contact: Frank Gaffney

 

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THIS WEEK

 

NIMS Training

FMPA hosts training on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) from Tuesday through Thursday 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. Contact: Mike McCleary

 

CREAC Meeting

The Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (CREAC) meets Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. via conference call to approve the proposed fiscal 2019 budget for the ARP Conservation Program. The committee will also hear information items on the Conservation and Load Forecast Model update and topics for future meetings. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Chris Gowder

 

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 25. Contact: Jim Arntz

 

Special Dates

Congratulations to Andrei Benjamin, who celebrates five years with FMPA on Tuesday, March 27.

Congratulations to Rick Minch, who celebrates eight years with FMPA on Thursday, March 29.

 

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COMING UP

 

Member Services Advisory Committee

The Member Services Advisory Committee will meet April 3 at 10 a.m. via conference call. Contact: Mark McCain

 

Human Resources Roundtable

TheHuman Resources (HR) roundtable is scheduled for April 5 at FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss HR topics, such as benefits, recruiting, retention, training, policies and more. Registration for 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

 

Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Forum

FMPA and the Florida Municipal Electric Association co-host a hurricane and emergency preparedness forum May 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando. The registration deadline is April 30, and the fee is $75 per person and includes a light breakfast and lunch. The forum will discuss legislative and statewide updates, mutual aid best practices and restoration operations. Contact: Sharon Smeenk

 

Lineman Roundtable

The next FMPA Linemen’s Roundtable is scheduled for May 15 at 10 a.m. at the Utilities Commission of New Smya Beach. The roundtable provides a forum for crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools and any other common issues. The roundtable is open to all levels of utility line crew and any utility staff member who has an interest. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Smeenk

 

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INDUSTRY NEWS

 

Gov. Scott Signs Transmission Line Bill

A bill that gives the Florida Public Service Commission exclusive jurisdiction over the placement of transmission lines in the state was signed into law last Monday by Gov. Rick Scott. The measure stems from a dispute over the approval of two new nuclear reactors at Florida Power & Light’s Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station. Scott and the Cabinet approved the plants in 2014 in its role as the power plant Siting Board. However, objections were raised by South Florida govements that wanted the state to require project-related transmission lines to be underground. An appeals court later overtued the Siting Board’s decision. Plans for the reactors have since been shelved.

 

Regulators Weigh Need for Two Power Plants

The Florida Public Service Commission began a hearing last Wednesday on a Determination of Need for two new power plant to serve customers of Seminole Electric Cooperative. The plants are planned for Putnam and Pasco counties. Michael Ward, a vice president of Seminole Electric, testified Wednesday that the planned projects are the most cost-effective way to meet the future energy needs of customers of electric cooperatives. A company that already operates a power plant in Pasco County is objecting, saying that new plants are not the most efficient way to serve the area’s power needs.

 

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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