FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Feb. 11, 2019
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LAST WEEK
Kissimmee Solar Subscription
Kissimmee City Commission approved a partnership last Tuesday with Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) to power 100% of city-owned facilities with solar energy beginning in 2020. KUA will be able to supply the solar power from its participation in FMPA’s Florida Municipal Solar Project (FMSP). As part of the agreement, the city secured a fixed energy rate for 20 years. This agreement is noteworthy because it is the first solar subscription service for an FMPA member utility customer from FMSP. Contact: Susan Schumann
FMPA Appoints COO
FMPA announced last Wednesday the selection of Kenneth S. Rutter as Chief Operating Officer (COO). He will assume responsibility for FMPA’s power resources division effective March 1. Rutter comes from Basin Electric Cooperative and Dakota Gasification in Bismarck, North Dakota, where he served for more than six years as senior vice president of marketing and asset management. Rutter has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Purdue University and a master’s degree in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis. Contact: Jacob Williams
Update to Lawsuit Regarding Stanton Energy Center
Orlando Utilities Commission filed a notice of removal last Friday with the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in the pending coal ash lawsuit filed in late-December. A statement from OUC said, “The notice of removal transfers the responsibility for handling the case from the state court in Orange County to the federal district court in Orlando. The removal is based on plaintiffs’ allegations that claim radioactive materials from the Stanton Energy Center coal operations have been deposited in areas surrounding the center. OUC strongly disputes these claims. However, because plaintiffs’ allegations concerning radioactive materials were included in their complaint, OUC asserts the law requires the lawsuit to be resolved in federal court pursuant to the Price-Anderson Act, a federal statute that specifies the appropriate court for deciding such claims.” Contact: Jody Finklea
Newberry Alternate Board Representative
Newberry notified FMPA last Monday that Dallas Lee, director finance and administration, will serve as the city’s alternate to FMPA’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Bill Conrad will continue to serve as the primary representative. Contact: Jacob Williams
FMPA Weekly Anniversary
FMPA Weekly celebrated its 20th anniversary last Saturday. The first edition was published on Feb. 9, 1999. The weekly newsletter started as an internal communication tool for FMPA staff, and later, its distribution was expanded to include Agency members. The goal of the newsletter is to provide timely, worthwhile information about what is happening at the Agency. Reader feedback is always welcome. Contact: Mark McCain
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THIS WEEK
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Tuesday at 2 p.m. via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project Rate Workshop. The agenda includes: 1) natural gas markets update, 2) overview of January loads, 3) resource update for January, and 4) review of January ARP rate calculation. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Black History Month
Linda Howard will speak to the Greater Orlando Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) at Universal Orlando on Tuesday as part of the group’s Black History Month celebration. Linda is one of the founders of the Orlando Chapter. NABA will recognize African-American leaders in the accounting and finance industry for Black History Month. Linda will share her journey to an executive position at FMPA.
Regional Crew Leader Roundtables
Foreman and crew leaders are encouraged to register now for FMPA’s semi-annual Regional Crew Leader Roundtables, which will be held in Homestead on Tuesday, New Smyrna Beach on Wednesday and Bushnell on Thursday. The roundtables are great opportunities for transmission and distribution staff members to get to know their peers from neighboring utilities. Attendance is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Mike McCleary
Strategic Planning Session
FMPA’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee will hold a strategic planning session Wednesday at 9 a.m. at FMPA’s Orlando office. The session will identify the top strategic priorities for FMPA in the coming years. Contact: Jacob Williams
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee meets Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Board room. The committee will consider a recommendation to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee regarding the Finance Committee structure and risk management policies. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Liyuan Woerner
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors meets Thursday in the Board room at 8:45 a.m. or immediately following AROC. The Board will consider: 1) resolution of appreciation for James C. Welsh, 2) Finance Committee structure and risk management policies, 3) pooled loan project, 4) Resolution 2019-B2, removal of trustee, paying agency and registrar for Stanton, Stanton II, St. Lucie and Tri-City projects and appointment of successor, and 5) Resolution 2019-B3, compliance requirements for U.S. Stay regulations. 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 9:15 a.m. or immediately following the Board of Directors. The committee will consider: 1) Finance Committee structure and risk management policies, 2) Resolution 2019-EC1, compliance requirements for U.S. Stay regulations, 3) Resolution 2019-EC2, termination of swaps related to ARP Series 2008C bonds in conjunction with the use of Vero Beach proceeds and the results of the 2019A RFP. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
UFLS Training
Carl Turner travels to Jacksonville Beach on Thursday to train Beaches Energy Services’ staff on setting and testing Under Frequency Load Shedding (UFLS) relays. The relays are used to balance generation and load in the event of a decrease in frequency and to comply with FMPA’s UFLS program.
APPA Legislative Rally Webinar
FMPA and the Florida Municipal Electric Association will host a free webinar Friday at 10 a.m. for members attending the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Legislative Rally. Representatives from 18 Florida municipal electric utilities will participate in the Rally on Feb. 25 through Feb. 27. While in Washington, D.C., they will meet with Florida’s Congressional delegation to discuss federal legislative issues related to electric utilities. Registration is required to participate in the webinar. Representatives from Florida utilities who are planning to attend the rally are encouraged to make their travel plans and share the information with FMPA by responding to the email sent by Ryan Dumas. Contact: Mark McCain
All-Requirements Project Weekly Load Statistics
The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph will be posted later this week on the Portal.
Special Dates
Happy anniversary to Dan O’Hagan, who celebrates 14 years with FMPA on Thursday,
Feb. 14.
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COMING UP
Florida Groundman School
FMPA will hold a Florida Groundman School in Kissimmee on Feb. 25 through March 1. The five-day course is designed to provide the skills necessary to be an Apprentice Lineworker. It includes instruction on basic electricity, rigging, ropes and knots, pole setting, meter-base safety and a rope-throw competition. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Lake-Sumter State College Relay Tech Job Fair
FMPA plans to attend a job fair for relay technicians at Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg on March 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet students enrolled in the relay technician program and share career opportunities at FMPA member utilities. If any FMPA member cities are recruiting for relay technicians or are interested in participating in the job fair, contact Cairo Vanegas.
Human Resources Roundtable
FMPA will host a Human Resources Roundtable on March 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss human resources topics, including benefits, recruiting, retention, training, policies and more. The roundtable is open to any FMPA utility staff member who has an interest in human resources topics. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Advanced Lineworker Program
The second module of the Advanced Lineworker Program is April 10-11 in Kissimmee. The training is offered through the FMPA-EGC Alliance. The program lasts one year and includes four, two-day modules. It is designed for Lead or Journeyman linemen with a minimum of four years of experience. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Lineman’s Roundtable
FMPA will host a Lineman’s Roundtable on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kissimmee Utility Authority. The roundtable provides a forum for line crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and other common issues. The roundtable is open to all levels of utility line crew personnel, as well as any utility staff member who has an interest in transmission and distribution topics. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
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INDUSTRY NEWS
‘Fracking’ Ban Bills to be Heard
Bills that would ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing to drill for natural gas in Florida will be heard Wednesday by committees for both the Florida House and Senate. The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee and the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee will hear separate bills. Environmentalists came out against the House bill last week because it defines fracking as injecting a high rate of fluids into the ground. They say the use of the term “high rate” opens a loophole that would still allow the drilling practice. The Senate bill does not contain the same language. Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order last month directing the Department of Environmental Protection to oppose hydraulic fracturing and all offshore oil and gas drilling.
Gulf Power Files to Recover Storm Costs
Gulf Power filed a petition last Wednesday with the Florida Public Service Commission seeking to recover $342 million in restoration costs from customers following Hurricane Michael. If approved, customers would see the charge on bills starting in April. The amount would be spread over five years. A customer using 1,000 kWh a month would see an increase of about $8 per month. Gulf Power is the largest utility in Northwest Florida and was acquired last January by NextEra, the parent company of Florida Power & Light.
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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 Carolyn Dingley 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: Carolyn Dingley
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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
Community Power. Statewide Strength. ®
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