FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
July 8, 2019
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LAST WEEK
Power Sale to Reedy Creek
A power sale agreement with Reedy Creek Improvement District began last Monday and will run through June 2021. Terms of the two-year contract call for FMPA’s All-Requirements Project to convert natural gas delivered by Reedy Creek to 53 MW of energy each hour of every day during the contract term. Contact: Chris Gowder
Executive Committee
FMPA’s Executive Committee met last Tuesday via teleconference and approved an action item to secure physical natural gas through March 2020. Contact: Ken Rutter
Physical Gas Transactions
Florida Gas Utility (FGU) completed all transactions necessary to secure physical natural gas for FMPA’s All-Requirements Project (ARP) through March 2020. Fixed-price transactions resulted in a gas cost of $3.532 million below the ARP’s budgeted gas expenses. The average transacted price for all months is $2.43 per mmBtu (weighted average) compared to the budgeted price of $2.83 per mmBtu. FGU’s gas purchases for FMPA are: $2.284 in August, $2.283 in September, $2.398 in October, $2.507 in November, $2.505 in December, $2.520 in January, $2.518 in February and $2.477 in March. Contact: Ken Rutter
FMPA Continuing Disclosure Report
FMPA filed its annual financial disclosure report on June 28. The report includes extensive information on FMPA’s projects, financials and other disclosure topics. The document is available on the Electronic Municipal Market Access’ (EMMA) website. EMMA is a platform that provides municipal securities data and disclosure documents for investors, state and local governments. Thank you to the many FMPA staff who contributed to the report and to Ed Nunez for serving as the project lead. Contact: Rich Popp
All-Requirements Project June Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s non-Contract Rate of Delivery peak for June was 1,292 MW, which occurred June 25 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. The project’s load factor for June was 64%. 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 monthly peak was 7.5% higher than the budgeted peak, and energy was 4.63% higher than budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for June is available on the Portal. Contact: Jason Wolfe
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THIS WEEK
Salary Survey
Members are encouraged to respond by Wednesday to FMPA’s annual utility salary survey. The survey was originally developed by a group of Human Resources professionals from FMPA member utilities. This year’s survey was sent via email from Sharon Adams on June 19. The survey results will provide FMPA’s members with Florida-specific salary and benefit information.
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Wednesday via conference call at 2 p.m. for the monthly All-Requirement Project (ARP) Rate Workshop. The agenda includes a review of June ARP rate calculations. Contact: Jason Wolfe
KUA Presentation
Jacob Williams gives a presentation on the value of the municipal electric utility to Kissimmee Utility Authority’s Board of Directors on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
Cybersecurity Summit
Several FMPA staff are attending the American Public Power Association’s Regional Cybersecurity Summit on Wednesday and Thursday in Orlando. Contact: Carter Manucy
Fleet Generation Strategic Planning
Representatives of the All-Requirements Project’s generation fleet meet Thursday at 7:30 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office for a strategic planning session. The agenda includes discussion of fleet goals, budgets, financial metrics, communications, safety, regulatory compliance and training. Contact: Ken Rutter
Milsoft WindMil Software Training
FMPA invites its members to attend a training class Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at FMPA’s Orlando office on Milsoft WindMil, a software program for modeling electric distribution systems. Registration is $450 per person and closes Monday. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Member City Visit
Susan Schumann travels to Gainesville on Friday to discuss the Solar Project Phase II.
Solar Project Phase II Agreement
Final megawatt commitments for the Solar Project Phase II are due July 17 from all interested project participants to facilitate negotiation of the power purchase agreement. Agreements were distributed in an email on June 27. Contact: Susan Schumann
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 July 7. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Special Dates
Happy anniversary to Gary Fisk, who celebrates nine years with FMPA on Friday, July 12.
Happy anniversary to Sharon Samuels, who celebrates 21 years with FMPA on Saturday, July 13.
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COMING UP
Preventing Ransomware Webinar
The Florida Local Government Information Systems Association is offering a series of webinars on tools, tips, techniques and technology for preventing ransomware. The first webinar is Tuesday at 10 a.m. The webinars are led by technology and security experts who will provide information to develop strategies for strengthening networks and controls. All staff of local government are encouraged to register.
FMEA Annual Conference
The Florida Municipal Electric Association’s (FMEA) Annual Conference will be held next week, July 16-18, at the Hyatt Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. The conference also will include FMPA’s annual Board of Directors luncheon. Registration closes July 15.
FMPA Governing Board Meetings
FMPA’s governing board meetings are scheduled for July 17 at Hyatt Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. The Board of Directors will meet at 8 a.m., and the Executive Committee will meet at 8:30 a.m., or immediately after the Board. Contact: Jacob Williams
Facebook Live
FMPA will live stream the presentations of Bill Conrad and Jacob Williams at the annual FMPA Board of Directors luncheon on July 18. The broadcast will available on FMPA’s Facebook page beginning at 12:45 p.m. Contact: Mark McCain
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee will meet July 18 at 3 p.m. at Hyatt Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. Contact: Mark McCain
Substation Training
FMPA hosts a training class for Substation Inspection & Testing on Aug. 20-21 in Orlando. Session topics include: 1) substation inspections, 2) electrical equipment testing, 3) battery testing, maintenance and troubleshooting, 4) SF6 gas testing, and 5) mobile substation. Registration is $900 per person. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Electric Utility System Operations Training
Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) hosts a training class about Electrical Utility System Operations in Jacksonville Beach on Aug. 20-22. The class is designed to give participants with no electrical background an understanding of electric utility operations. Registration is $675 per person for FMEA members.
Meterman Certification
FMPA members are eligible to participate in a one-year Meterman Certification Program from Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG). The program, available through the FMPA-ECG Alliance, features topics on safe metering work practices, metering terminology and an in-depth look at single-phase and poly-phase meters. There are two, three-day classes held Aug. 20-22, 2019, and April 14-16, 2020. Each session includes hands-on and classroom instruction. Registration and more information is available. Contact: Mike McCleary
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Two New Public Records Exemptions and a Texting Law Take Effect in Florida
Three new Florida laws of interest to municipal electric utilities took effect last Monday. First, information on electric meter-derived data from public power customer is now exempt from public record for less than one billing cycle (HB 591). Periods of time longer than that would still be accessible. The second new law exempt from public records any portion of a meeting held by a local government utility where the issues of cybersecurity are discussed (HB 327). Portions of a meeting exempted by the new law must be recorded and transcribed. Both public records exemptions are subject to repeal under the Open Government Sunset Review Act on Oct. 2, 2024. Finally, texting while driving is now a primary offense, meaning law enforcement may pull over a vehicle if the operator is observed operating a handheld device. Drivers may continue to use Bluetooth technology or speaker to communicate. The law, at this time, is limited to school and work zones. HB 107 affects all drivers in Florida.
FPL Asks Regulators to Deny Hearing Request on Its Solar Subscription Plan
Florida Power & Light (FPL) asked utility regulators last Wednesday to deny a hearing request on the utility’s proposal to add 20 solar-power plants. The Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues, submitted a filing last month requesting that the Public Service Commission (PSC) hold a hearing on FPL’s “SolarTogether” plan. FPL filed a petition March 13 seeking approval of the program. The proposal seeks to build 20 plants that would generate 1,490 MW with a projected cost of $1.79 billion. Customers would be able to voluntarily participate in SolarTogether. Commission staff members are scheduled July 25 to make a recommendation about the proposal.
TECO Seeks Approval for Solar Projects
Tampa Electric Company (TECO) asked utility regulators for approval to recoup money from customers to pay for two solar projects in Hillsborough County that would start producing electricity by Jan. 1. The utility filed a proposal June 28 at the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to add a 74.8 MW solar project on 500 acres of agricultural land and a 74.5 MW project on 603 acres of agricultural land. The PSC approved a settlement agreement in 2017 that set TECO’s base electric rates until 2022 and allowed the utility to seek approval to recover money for solar projects. The recent proposal follows two other TECO solar projects approved by the commission. By 2021, TECO plans to add six million solar panels in 10 new solar projects for a total of 600 MW. When the projects are complete, TECO said nearly 7% of its energy will come from solar.
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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 Melisa Inanc or Kenasia Lealie 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: Melisa Inanc or Kenasia Lealie
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