FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
July 22, 2019
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LAST WEEK
Officer Elections
FMPA’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee elected officers last Wednesday for 2019-2020. The Board elected Barbara Quiñones as Chair, Lynn Tejeda as Vice Chair, Larry Mattern as Secretary and Allen Putnam as Treasurer. The Executive Committee re-elected Howard McKinnon as Chair and Lynne Tejeda as Vice Chair. Contact: Jacob Williams
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Wednesday and approved three action items: 1) a resolution of appreciation for Bill Conrad, 2) a resolution of appreciation for Charles Revell, and 3) election of officers. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee met last Wednesday and approved two action items: 1) KUA TARP agreement modifications, and 2) election of officers. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Bill Conrad Honored
FMPA recognized outgoing Board of Directors Chair Bill Conrad last Wednesday with a Resolution of Appreciation. Bill has reached the six-year term limit of the position. Bill has been involved with FMPA since he was first elected as Commissioner of Newberry in 2008. Bill will continue to serve on FMPA’s Board as Newberry’s representative. FMPA is grateful for Bill’s service and leadership.
Charles Revell Honored
FMPA honored Charles Revell, Board member from Mount Dora, last Wednesday with a Resolution of Appreciation for his 15 years of service to the Agency. Charles is retiring Aug. 2. He has served on FMPA’s Board of Directors since 2004 and on the Member Services Advisory Committee since 2010. Charles was instrument in the development of the Lineman Safety Training Program and the alliance with Electric Cities of Georgia.
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee met last Thursday and elected officers for 2019-2020. The Board re-elected Kathleen Thacker of Kissimmee as Chair and Dan Robuck of Leesburg as Vice Chair. The committee also approved its 2019-2020 meeting schedule. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Annual Luncheon Presentation
FMPA live streamed on Facebook last Thursday the annual Board of Directors luncheon. The program included a video titled “The Difference” and a presentation from Jacob Williams. The event is saved and available for viewing on FMPA’s Facebook page.
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THIS WEEK
APPA Policy Makers Council
Three representatives from Florida will be in Washington, D.C., on Monday through Wednesday for the American Public Power Association’s annual Policy Makers Council’s summer meeting. The attendees include Peter Batty from Key West, Mayor Jose Alverez and Grant Lacerte from Kissimmee. While in the nation’s capital, they will meet with Florida’s senators and representatives to discuss energy-related issues. Contact: Mark McCain
J.P. Morgan Transportation & Utility Conference
Jacob Williams and Linda Howard attend the J.P. Morgan Transportation and Utility Investor Forum in New York on Wednesday and Thursday. Jacob will give a presentation Thursday updating attendees on FMPA. During the forum, time will be available for FMPA to meet one-on-one with investors.
FMSP Communicators Meeting
FMPA’s Public Relations Department will hold a conference call Wednesday with communicators from FMPA’s members in the Florida Municipal Solar Project (FMSP). The purpose of the teleconference is to provide an update on the solar project and discuss ideas for communication materials, milestone publicity events and more. Contact: Susan Schumann
FCG Environmental Committee
Susan Schumann travels to Tampa on Thursday for the monthly Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group (FCG) Environmental Committee meeting.
Member City Visits
Angel Rivera-Lopez and Cairo Vanegas visit Bartow on Thursday. On Friday, Cairo travels to Moore Haven for a member city visit.
FMPA Social Media
Follow FMPA on social media. FMPA has more than 1,000 followers and likes on its Facebook page. Help us get to our next milestone by liking and following FMPA’s Facebook page. The page gained more than 150 likes last week thanks to promotion activities related to the Board of Directors luncheon. Following FMPA on social media—including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn—is the best way to stay up-to-date on FMPA news and events. Contact: Mark McCain
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 21. Contact: Jason Wolfe
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COMING UP
Preventing Ransomware Webinar
The Florida Local Government Information Systems Association (FLGISA) is offering a series of webinars led by technology and security experts to develop strategies for strengthening networks and controls. The next webinar is July 30 at 10 a.m. The first webinar can be viewed on YouTube. For more information, visit the FLGISA website.
Systems Control Roundtable
FMPA hosts a Systems Control Roundtable at Gainesville Regional Utilities on Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. The roundtable provides a forum for control center operators to discuss common issues, share best practices and provide support to fellow member utilities. The event is open to system control personnel who are involved with daily system switching, trouble call dispatch and facilitate crew locations and field activities. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. 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 and closes Aug. 6.
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 and closes Aug. 6. Contact: Sharon Samuels
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
Rep. Castor Calls for Review of TECO Power Plant Project
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., urged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Cabinet members last Friday to conduct a “thorough review” of a proposed Tampa Electric Co. (TECO) power-plant project citing concerns about climate change. Castor’s request came as DeSantis and the Cabinet meet this Thursday to consider the project at TECO’s Big Bend Power Station. Acting as the state Power Plant Siting Board, DeSantis and the Cabinet will consider an administrative law judge’s recommendation to approve the project. Under TECO’s plan, one generating unit at the Big Bend site, known as Unit 2, would be shut down and another unit, known as Unit 1, would be converted from coal-fired to natural gas-fueled. But Castor, chairwoman of the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, raised concerns about the use of natural gas instead of cleaner sources of energy, such as solar or wind.
Initial Findings Announced for NY Blackout, Gov. Cuomo Admonishes Utility
Consolidated Edison of New York announced initial findings last Monday after a five-hour power outage plunged the heart of Manhattan into darkness during the evening of July 13. New York state authorities and the utility are investigating what caused the blackout that left approximately 72,000 residents without power. Con Ed said it has preliminarily determined that both the primary and backup relay protection systems at the utility’s substation failed to isolate a faulty 13,000-volt distribution cable. “The failure of the protective relay systems ultimately resulted in isolation of the fault at the West 49th Street transmission substation, and the subsequent loss of several electrical networks,” Con Ed explained. “While the cable fault was an initiating event, the customer outages were the result of the failure of the protective relay systems.” Con Ed said it is still investigating why its system, with multiple redundancies, did not operate as designed. “While this situation was luckily contained, the fact that it happened at all is unacceptable,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during a July 14 press conference. “We will hold all parties accountable in ensuring this does not happen again.”
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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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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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