FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
April 2, 2018
____________________________________________________
LAST WEEK
Ten-Year Site Plan
FMPA filed the All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) Ten-Year Site Plan last Tuesday with the Florida Public Service Commission. The plan describes the ARP’s estimated power generating needs for the next 10 years and identifies the location and type of proposed long-term generation capacity and transmission additions. Based on recent load projections, ARP is expected to meet its generation capacity requirements with existing resources through 2027. The 2018 Ten-Year Site Plan is available on the Portal. Contact: Chris Gowder
Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee
The Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee met last Tuesday and approved funding the All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) Conservation Program at $750,000 for fiscal 2019, which is the same as fiscal 2018. The program will be funded from revenues collected through the ARP energy rate at an approximate rate impact of $0.12 per Megawatt hour. This funding level will be recommended to the ARP Executive Committee for consideration in April. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Chris Gowder
All-Requirements Project March Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s non-Contract Rate of Delivery (CROD) peak for March was 841 MW, which occurred March 1 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The project’s load factor for March was 65%. Load factor is a ratio of actual energy (MWh) used during the period versus what would have been consumed if demand was at peak for the entire period. A higher load factor indicates more effective system utilization and results in lower average costs. The month’s peak was 104% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 100% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for March is available on the Portal. Contact: Jim Arntz
____________________________________________________
THIS WEEK
Member Relations Survey
FMPA’s Board of Directors members are asked to complete FMPA’s Member Relations Survey today, if possible. 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
Member City Visits
Mike McCleary travels to Gainesville and Newberry on Monday for member city visits.
Communication Task Force
The Communication Task Force for the Florida Municipal Solar Project meets Tuesday at 10 a.m. via conference call to plan a project announcement event on May 4. Contact: Mark McCain
Member Services Advisory Committee
The Member Services Advisory Committee meets Tuesday at 10 a.m. via conference call to consider the renewal of the Grant Finder subscription, as well as hear 10 information items. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Member City Visit
Jacob Williams and Frank Gaffney travel to Fort Pierce on Tuesday to attend the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Board meeting.
Human Resources Roundtable
FMPA will hold a Human Resources (HR) Roundtable on Thursday 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. Lunch will be provided. Participation via teleconference will be available for those unable to attend in person. 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 April 1. Contact: Jim Arntz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Gloria Reyes, who celebrates three years with FMPA on Friday, April 6.
____________________________________________________
COMING UP
Business Planning and Budget Committee Meeting
The Business Planning and Budget Committee will meet April 18 at 9 a.m. to review the proposed Agency budget for fiscal 2019. Contact: Rick Minch
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee will meet April 18. The start time for the business meeting has been changed to noon. Lunch will be served at approximately 11:15 a.m. Contact: Mark McCain
Goveing Board Meetings
FMPA’s goveing board meetings have been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 18 due to a conflict with a state hurricane meeting on April 19. FMPA’s Board of Directors will meet at 1:30 p.m., immediately followed by the Executive Committee. Contact: Jacob Williams
Energy Auditor’s Roundtable
FMPA will host an Energy Auditor’s Roundtable on May 10 at 10 a.m. in Lakeland. The roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss energy audit topics, such as work procedures, policies, practices, industry changes, equipment, materials and more. Attendance is free, and lunch will be provided. Registration is requested by May 3. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Meter Tech Roundtable
FMPA’s next Meter Tech Roundtable is scheduled for May 31 at 10 a.m. in Fort Pierce. The roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss metering topics, such as policies, procedures, equipment, AMI, technology, safety, training, apprentice programs and more. The roundtable is open to anyone with an interest in metering or meter-related topics, including meter techs and meter shop staff. The roundtable is free, and lunch will be provided. Registration is requested by May 22. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
____________________________________________________
INDUSTRY NEWS
PSC to Review FPL Hurricane Costs
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) began a review last week to determine if Florida Power & Light (FPL) overcharged or undercharged its customers for hurricane restoration costs. FPL collected $318 million from customers to recover costs associated with the 2016 hurricane season with a year-long surcharge that ended March 1. An FPL spokesperson told the Miami Herald that he believes the charges were a “little bit over what they needed. The utility announced in January that it would use savings from changes in federal tax laws to offset costs from the 2017 hurricane season. If the PSC decides FPL overcharged its customers, refunds could be issued. The commission is expected to decide in August.
Gulf Power Rate Decrease Approved
The Florida Public Service Commission approved a $103 million rate reductions last Monday for Gulf Power customers resulting from the new federal tax laws passed earlier this year. A rate decrease of about $14 per month for the average residential customer will start with April bills.
Report: Natural Gas Dominates U.S. Generating Capacity
A report released last week by the American Public Power Association shows that natural gas continues to dominate generating capacity in the U.S., making up more than 43%. The report, “America’s Electricity Generation Capacity 2018 Update, also shows that most new generating capacity under construction or permitted will be fueled by natural gas. Coal contributes just over 23% of capacity. Nuclear, hydro and wind together account for nearly one-quarter of capacity, the report said, while solar currently constitutes 2.6% of all capacity.
____________________________________________________
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