FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Aug. 20, 2018
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LAST WEEK
FERC Intervention
FMPA filed a motion to intervene last Wednesday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the proposed sale of Gulf Power to NextEra. The intent of the motion is to make sure FMPA receives information about the FERC proceedings to safeguard members’ interests. Contact: Jacob Williams
Pilot Project for Single-Phase Reclosers
FMPA applied for a grant last Wednesday from the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Demonstration of Energy and Efficiency Development (DEED) program. If awarded, the grant will help pay for a pilot project using single-phase reclosers to test reliability enhancements for municipal utilities. Nine FMPA members have expressed interest in participating. Other members who are interested should contact Cairo Vanegas. If a grant is awarded, FMPA will serve as the project manager and coordinate all phases of the project, including procurement, training, engineering and deliverables to APPA.
ARP Solar Project Participants
Susan Schumann met last week with All-Requirement Project participants that are participating in the Florida Municipal Solar Project. She met with Larry Mattern from Kissimmee, Karen Nelson from Jacksonville Beach and Mike Poucher from Ocala. She will meet this Tuesday with James Braddock from Wauchula and Brad Hiers from Bartow.
Substation Training Series
FMPA held a two-day substation training course last week in Orlando that included the series’ first hands-on learning opportunity in a substation. FMPA thanks OUC for providing facilities for the training. Sixteen representatives from five municipal utilities attended the training that was tailored to the specific equipment of the attendees’ utilities. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Florida League of Cities Presentation
Jacob Williams delivered a presentation last Thursday on trends in the electric utility industry at the Florida League of Cities’ Annual Conference. More than 100 people attended the session, including representatives from several FMPA member cities.
Distribution Reliability Measurement Program
Lake Worth joined FMPA’s Distribution Reliability Measurement Program, bringing total participation in the program to 24 cities. The program helps municipal electric utilities track reliability indices and benchmark data to other municipal and investor-owned utilities. Measuring reliability helps utilities evaluate operating performance, enhance service to customers and provides a way to demonstrate the value of reliability. For more information or to participate, contact Cairo Vanegas.
Joe Krupar
Joe Krupar, a retired FMPA employee, passed away Aug. 2 in Orlando at age 80. Joe was a long-time employee who started at the Agency in 1983. He served as operations manager and was instrumental in developing operating arrangements for the launch of FMPA’s All-Requirements Project and, later, incorporating cities with generation into the project.
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THIS WEEK
Member City Visits
Jacob Williams, Navid Nowakhtar and Susan Schumann will attend the Winter Park Utilities Advisory Board meeting on Wednesday. Luis Cruz travels to Winter Park and Alachua on Wednesday to meet with their respective technology teams and discuss cyber mutual aid and other IT topics. Frank Gaffney and Carl Turner travel to Leesburg on Wednesday to meet with Glenn Spurlock, electric utility director. Carl travels to Key West on Thursday and Friday.
Crew Leader Roundtables
Regional crew leader roundtables take place this week in Homestead on Tuesday, Kissimmee on Wednesday and Bartow on Thursday. Attendance at the roundtables is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Mike McCleary
Utility Tree Trimming and Vegetation Management
Responses are due Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. to FMPA’s Invitation to Bid (ITB) for Utility Tree Trimming and Vegetation Management. Once awarded, the contract will meet procurement requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The full ITB can be downloaded from FMPA.com. Contact: Sharon Samuels
ARP Solar Participants Advisory Committee
The ARP Solar Participants Advisory Committee meets Thursday at 8 a.m. in the Board room. The committee will consider approval of its charter, hear a project status update and review the meeting schedule. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Susan Schumann
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee (AROC) meets Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Board room. The committee will consider: 1) the annual review and assessment of the AROC charter, and 2) regulatory assets and liabilities created by regulatory accounting practices. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Liyuan Woerner
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors meets Thursday at 9 a.m. in the Board room. The Board will consider one action item: Resolution 2018-B11 – St. Lucie Project budget amendment. They will also hear nine information items: 1) Vero Beach update, 2) solar subscription service and residential rates, 3) update on fiscal 2018 budgets, 4) notice of continuing disclosure report for fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2017, 5) update on forward sale agreement with Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, 6) review of annual municipal finance disclosure procedures, 7) overview of NextEra acquisition of Gulf Power and Southern Power Florida, 8) easement request for urban cell phone tower, and 9) procedure for General Manager and CEO and General Counsel and CLO annual reviews. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee meets Thursday in the Board room at 9:30 a.m., or immediately following the Board of Directors. The committee will hear five information items: 1) FMPP expansion update, 2) natural gas prepay option, 3) ARP Solar Participants Advisory Committee charter, 4) review of annual municipal finance disclosure procedures, and 5) notice of continuing disclosure report for fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2017. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Requests for Proposals
FMPA is developing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase and delivery of concrete poles and an RFP for debris removal. Both RFPs will meet procurement requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Several members are participating in these collaborative initiatives, and more cities are encouraged to join. The RFPs are expected to be issued this week. Contact: Sharon Samuels
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 Aug. 19. Contact: Jim Arntz
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COMING UP
Compliance Workshop
FMPA’s Regulatory Compliance Department hosts a Compliance Workshop on Sept. 18 at FMPA’s Orlando office. The session will focus on operations and planning in the morning and critical infrastructure protection in the afternoon. Contact: Brandon McCormick
APPA Fall Institute and Public Power Leadership Workshop in Orlando
The American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Fall Institute and Public Power Leadership Workshop will be held Oct. 1-5 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando. The institute will feature 13 training courses on various topics, such as accounting, cost of service and rate design, key accounts management, overhead distribution systems and line design, and more. Information and registration is available on APPA’s website.
FMEA Energy Connections Conference
The Florida Municipal Electric Association’s (FMEA) annual Energy Connections Conference and Trade Show will be held Oct. 24-25 in Kissimmee. The conference is designed for a wide range of utility professionals to exchange ideas and build connections. Registration is open now on FMEA’s website.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Sen. Mayfield Seeks Study of JEA’s Involvement in New Vogtle Nuclear Plant
Florida Sen. Debbie Mayfield has asked the Legislature’s auditing and government accountability office to study JEA’s involvement in the Vogtle nuclear power plant, citing it as an “alarming example” of “potential mismanagement.” The costs associated with JEA’s share of new construction at Plant Vogtle in Georgia, which could total $4 billion over 20 years, have concerned city and utility officials and credit-rating analysts. Mayfield wants the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to complete a study of JEA’s contract for this project and to submit a report to the House and Senate leadership by Feb. 1. Aaron Zahn, JEA’s interim CEO, said he welcomed the review but disputed the characterization that the decision to invest in Vogtle was evidence of mismanagement. JEA signed the Plant Vogtle nuclear power agreement in 2008 when industry analysts considered nuclear power to be entering a renaissance. In recent years, the fortunes of nuclear power have changed due to low-cost natural gas and the increasing costs of nuclear plant construction.
Gov. Scott Reappoints Brown, Clark to Florida PSC
Gov. Rick Scott reappointed Julie Brown and Gary Clark to the Florida Public Service Commission last Friday, selecting them over four other finalists. The current terms of Brown and Clark were set to expire in January, but the reappointment means they can stay on the commission until 2023. A nominating council sent the names of six finalists to Scott last month. Brown, 43, a Tampa attorney, has served on the five-member commission since 2011 and was reappointed by Scott in 2014. Clark, 50, of Chipley, was appointed to the commission in September 2017 to complete the term of Jimmy Patronis, who was named by Scott to serve as Florida’s chief financial officer.
Indian River Files to Intervene in Vero Beach Sale
Indian River County filed with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) last week to intervene in the case regarding the sale of Vero Beach’s electric utility to Florida Power & Light. A public hearing to address protests filed against the PSC’s decision has been moved up by one day from the original schedule and now will be held Oct. 9-10. If granted intervener status, the county would have standing to participate in the hearing.
PSC Issues Statement on Second Solar Supplier
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) last week issued a declaratory statement to a second supplier of rooftop solar systems that will allow the company to do business in the state without falling under PSC regulation. Vivint Solar Developer, LLC plans to lease rooftop solar equipment to residents in Florida. The commission confirmed those leases do not constitute the sale of electricity and, therefore, are not subject to PSC oversight. Earlier in the year, the PSC issued a similar statement for Sunrun, Inc.
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FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA for employees and governing boards of FMPA member utilities. Questions or comments about this newsletter may be directed to Jeff Grainger or Lisa Rienhardt 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 learn more.
Have a question, comment or story idea for the newsletter? FMPA welcomes your feedback at any time. Contact: Jeff Grainger or Lisa Rienhardt
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Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
www.fmpa.com
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