FMPA Weekly | Oct. 29, 2018 | Member Edition

FMPA Weekly

 

A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members

 

Oct. 29, 2018

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LAST WEEK

 

FMPA Filing at FERC

FMPA filed a petition Oct. 17 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) supporting the American Public Power Association (APPA) in opposition to JEA’s request to have FERC intervene in a dispute between JEA and the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG). APPA’s protest is not related to the underlying dispute between JEA and MEAG over a power purchase agreement for Plant Vogtle nuclear units under construction but, instead, focused on the question of whether FERC has jurisdiction over the power purchase agreement. APPA contends FERC does not have jurisdiction. FMPA supported APPA’s position, as did the Large Public Power Council, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Transmission Access Policy Study Group and many other public power utilities around the country. Contact: Jody Finklea

 

Hurricane Michael Restoration

All municipal electric customers that lost power due to Hurricane Michael were fully restored last Monday. Approximately 600 municipal electric crews from 16 states responded to aid Florida in power restoration following Hurricane Michael. Other electric utility providers in the most-devastated or most-remote areas of the Panhandle have set a goal to restore power to all customers who are able to receive it by early November.

 

Tallahassee Board Representative

Rob McGarrah was appointed last week to serve as Tallahassee’s representative to FMPA’s Board of Directors. He is the General Manager of the city’s electric utility. Contact: Jacob Williams

 

Pooled Loan Project RFP

FMPA’s issued a request for proposals (RFP) last Friday for a direct pay letter of credit or a variable or fixed rate direct placement bank loan for the Pooled Loan Project. Proposals are due Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. The full RFP is available for download on FMPA.com. Contact: Linda Howard

 

Social Media and Text Message Archiving Survey

The results of the Social Media and Text Message Archiving Survey were shared last week at the Public Power Communicators Roundtable. A copy of the report can be obtained by contacting Jeff Grainger.

 

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THIS WEEK

 

Member City Visits

Mike McCleary travels Monday to Blountstown, Chattahoochee, Havana and Quincy for member city visits. He travels to Starke on Tuesday.

 

Welcome, Emmanuel Hernandez and Dale Ray

Two new staff members join the Operations Department this week. Emmanuel Hernandez starts Monday as Operations Engineer I. Emmanuel has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Central Florida. He previously worked as a Protection and Control Field Engineer at Florida Power & Light. Dale Ray starts Thursday as Operations Engineer III. Dale has a bachelor’s degree in electric engineering from Southern Illinois University. He previously worked as a Reliability Coordinator System Operator at Peak Reliability in Vancouver, Washington, and he got his start in the power industry as a Reactor Operator and Electronics Technician in the Navy.

 

Cane Island Power Park

FMPA staff travel to Cane Island Power Park on Wednesday to celebrate plant performance for fiscal 2018 that achieved goals in the areas of low-cost power, reliability, safety and regulatory compliance. Contact: David Schumann

 

Florida Chamber of Commerce

Susan Schumann travels to Tallahassee on Thursday to meet with the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Susan also will meet with Amy Zubaly of FMEA on Friday.

 

GE Plant Tour

Ian Beason, Mike McCleary, Carl Turner and Cairo Vanegas attend a tour Thursday of a new General Electric (GE) manufacturing plant in Clearwater. The plant manufactures capacitors for distribution and substation applications as well as instrument transformers for metering applications up to 69 kV. FMPA members can still join the tour by contacting Cairo.

 

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 Oct. 28. Contact: Jim Arntz

 

Special Dates

Congratulations to Ed Nunez, who celebrates 11 years with FMPA on Monday, Oct. 29.

 

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COMING UP

 

Meter Tech Roundtable

The deadline to register for the Meter Tech Roundtable is Nov. 6. The Meter Tech Roundtable provides an opportunity for meter maintenance staff to discuss operating practices, equipment, tools, safety, training and more. The roundtable will be held in Bartow on Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. The roundtable is open to meter technicians, meter shop staff and manager, and utility staff members. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels

 

Florida Women in Energy Leadership Forum

The annual Florida Women in Energy Leadership Forum will be held Nov. 7-8 in Destin, Florida. Jacob Williams will participate on a panel discussing “Innovation, Technology, and a Better Future.” The forum costs $475 to attend, and registration is available online.

 

Purchasing Roundtable

The FMPA Purchasing Roundtable is scheduled for Dec. 6 at the Orlando office. The roundtable will provide utility staff members interested in procurement with an opportunity to discuss work procedures, policies, practices and industry changes. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels

 

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INDUSTRY NEWS

 

Governor Announces Goal for Power Restoration

Gov. Rick Scott announced last Thursday that electric utility providers in the Panhandle have set a goal to restore power to all customers who are able to receive it by early November. All municipal electric customers were restored last Monday. The goal includes those in the hardest hit areas of Mexico Beach and towns in Calhoun and Jackson counties. The damage caused by Hurricane Michael in these areas has required a complete rebuild of electrical infrastructure. There are currently less than 47,700 accounts without power. This number includes many customers who are unable to receive power due to severe damage to their homes and businesses.

 

FPUC Seeks to Suspend Billing in Storm Region

Florida Public Utilities Co. (FPUC) asked the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) last Tuesday for permission to suspend sending bills to customers while power restoration continues. FPUC is the second utility to request a billing suspension after Duke Energy Florida filed a similar request two week ago. Many of the homes and businesses served by FPUC are severely damaged and unable to take power. Debris and downed trees have limited access to some locations in FPUC’s territory. The PSC is expected to evaluate Duke’s request during an Oct. 30 meeting. The utilities need the approval of the PSC because a state rule requires utilities to bill customers monthly.

 

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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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