FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Sept. 10, 2018
____________________________________________________
LAST WEEK
Stock Island Generating Facility
The Stock Island Generating Facility in Key West was brought online last Thursday night to serve customers of Keys Energy Services (KEYS) during a transmission outage. Florida Keys Electric Cooperative conducted a transmission system repair that caused an interruption of mainland power to KEYS’ customers. The transmission outage lasted approximately 90 minutes. Contact: David Schumann
Concrete Poles RFP
Three bids were received last Wednesday in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase and delivery of concrete poles. The bids are being evaluated, and an award is expected soon. The procurement process meets requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Contact: Sharon Samuels
FMPA Budget
FMPA’s fiscal 2019 budgets were posted last week to FMPA’s Document Portal. The budgets can be found under the website’s financials section. Contact: Steve Ruppel
____________________________________________________
THIS WEEK
Stock Island Operations Review
David Schumann and Tim Jackson travel to Stock Island Generating Facility in Key West on Monday to conduct an operational procedure review.
Member City Visits
Frank Gaffney and Carl Turner travel to Mount Dora on Monday for a member city visit. Mike McCleary travels to Green Cove Springs on Monday. Jacob Williams and Mike McCleary will attend a Starke City Commission meeting on Tuesday to make a presentation on distribution services. Cairo Vanegas travels to Mt. Dora on Wednesday.
External Affairs
Susan Schumann meets with Bill Peebles and Ryan Matthews from Peebles, Smith & Matthews, FMPA’s state lobbying firm, on Thursday to discuss external affairs.
Special Dates
Congratulations to Ann Beckwith, who celebrates 17 years with FMPA on Monday, Sept. 10.
Congratulations to Jacob Williams, who celebrates two years with FMPA on Wednesday, Sept. 12.
Congratulations to Kurian Varghese, who celebrates four years with FMPA on Saturday, Sept. 15.
____________________________________________________
COMING UP
APPA Fall Institute and Public Power Leadership Workshop
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 rate design, key accounts management, overhead distribution system design and more. Information and registration is available on APPA’s website.
Lineman’s Roundtable
Registration is open for the next FMPA Lineman’s Roundtable scheduled for Oct. 11 in Kissimmee. The roundtable provides an informal forum for crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and other common issues. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
FMEA Energy Connections Conference
The Florida Municipal Electric Association’s (FMEA) 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. Register on FMEA’s website.
____________________________________________________
INDUSTRY NEWS
Private Equity Firm Outlines Privatization Plans for SE Public Power Utilities
An executive of Bernhard Capital Partners outlined plans for managing the Lafayette Utilities System (LUS), a public power utility in Louisiana, as well as the firm’s broader strategy to invest billions in public power systems across the southeast United States. In remarks made Aug. 23 to the Lafayette Rotary Club, Jim Bernhard, founder of the private equity firm, said his firm was almost done with its due diligence on LUS for a possible transaction. The firm’s plan is to make a payment to the city but not to take over LUS’ assets. Bernhard will propose to earn a fee and operate the utility with rates controlled by the city. A final proposal with more detail is expected in September. In addition, Bernhard said, “We are going to invest in about $15 to $20 billion in municipal utilities throughout the southeastern part of the United States.”
FPL Files for Extension of Voluntary Solar Program
Florida Power & Light (FPL) filed Aug. 31 with the Florida Public Service Commission for an extension of its voluntary solar program. The program gives customers the option to pay $9 a month to help fund small-scale solar energy projects. The program is slated to end in 2018. The extension would allow the program to continue through December 2019. Thus far, it has helped pay for the installation of 84 solar structures with another 53 under construction.
____________________________________________________
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
__________________________________________________________
Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
www.fmpa.com
Community Power. Statewide Strength. ®