FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Aug. 5, 2019
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LAST WEEK
3 Phase Times
FMPA’s Power Resources Division published the June 2019 edition of 3 Phase Times last Tuesday. This monthly operating report provides information about the All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) system peak, hourly loads, resource fuel mix, natural gas usage, natural gas pricing and more performance information. The ARP set a new summer hourly peak load record (for 13 cities) of 1,292 MW, which was 7.5% higher than the budget forecast. Natural gas represented 81% of ARP’s total energy sources in June. FMPA sold 10% of its generation to the Florida Municipal Power Pool (FMPP). The equivalent availability factor of FMPA’s base-load units for the fiscal year to date is 93.6%. The full report is available on the Portal. Contact: Joe McKinney
Three-Phase Pad-Mounted Transformers Bid
The Three-Phase Pad-Mounted Transformers bids were opened last Thursday. The solicitation received five responses, which are currently under evaluation. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Thermal/Infrared Service Bid
The Thermal/Infrared Services bid was awarded last week to McCall-Thomas Engineering and Brady Infrared. The bid is in effect through August 2022. Contact: Sharon Samuels
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THIS WEEK
Member City Visit
Chris Gowder and Susan Schumann travel to Bushnell on Monday to discuss the Solar II Project at the city council meeting.
FCG Meeting
Susan Schumann travels to Tampa on Tuesday for a Business Plan and Budget meeting for the Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group (FCG) Environmental Committee.
Joint Solar Committee Meeting
The Solar Project Committee and the ARP Solar Participants Advisory Committee will hold a joint meeting via teleconference on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Participants will discuss the potential relocation of the Poinsett Solar facility to an alternate site in North Central Florida. Contact: Susan Schumann
Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Thursday at 2 p.m. for the monthly All-Requirements Project Rate Workshop. The agenda includes a review of July ARP rate calculations. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Florida Chamber of Commerce Visit
Susan Schumann travels to Tallahassee on Friday for a meeting with the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Substation Maintenance Bid
The Substation Maintenance contract is being rebid and members are invited to participate. Interest forms will be available this week. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Nissan Electric Vehicle Rebates
The American Public Power Association partnered with Nissan to offer public power communities exclusive rebates on the 2019 all-electric Nissan LEAF. Public power customers and employees are eligible for a rebate of $3,500 on the 2019 Nissan LEAF 40 kWh Standard and $2,500 on the 2019 Nissan LEAF 62 kWh ePlus. Municipal utilities can also use the rebates for fleet vehicles. The rebates expire Sept. 30, 2019.
Lineworker Appreciation Campaign
FMPA and the Florida Municipal Electric Association kick off a social media campaign this week to show appreciation for Florida’s lineworkers. The campaign will share information about what is done to keep lineworkers safe as they perform this dangerous work. The campaign will culminate Aug. 26 with a special video recognizing lineworkers from Florida’s municipal electric utilities. 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 Aug. 4. Contact: Jason Wolfe
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COMING UP
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 crew field activities. Registration is free and closes Aug. 12. Lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
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 Tuesday. 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
Governing Board Meetings
FMPA’s governing boards will meet Aug. 22, one week later than normal to avoid conflict with the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference scheduled for Aug. 15 in Orlando. The Board of Directors will meet at 8:30 a.m., and the Executive Committee will meet at 8:45 a.m. or immediately following the Board meeting. Contact: Jacob Williams
Florida Energy and Climate Summit
The Florida Energy and Climate Summit is Sept. 4-6 at the Grand Hyatt in Tampa. Attendees will be able to share ideas on diversifying the state’s energy sources, promoting energy efficiency and adapting to climate change. Registration is $250 per person, and the agenda is available.
Meter Tech Roundtable
FMPA’s Meter Tech Roundtable is scheduled for Nov. 6 in Leesburg. The roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss metering topics such as policies, procedures, equipment, AMI, technology, safety, training, apprentice programs and more. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Public Power Cybersecurity Summit and Scorecard
The American Public Power Association (APPA) will host a Cybersecurity Summit Nov. 18-20 in Nashville. In addition to participating in the summit, members are encouraged to complete the Public Power Cybersecurity Scorecard, an online self-assessment tool to assess security levels for protection from a cyber risk. FMPA encourages its members to fill out the scorecard, and Agency staff members are available to help members complete it. Contact: Carol Chinn
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Mayor Curry Claims JEA Privatization Can Help City’s Debt
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said last Thursday he would propose paying off Jacksonville’s $2.2 billion debt if JEA is sold. A resolution approved by the JEA Board on July 23 authorized CEO Aaron Zahn to explore avenues to privatize JEA, provided it would result in at least a $3 billion payment to the city. Curry said that eliminating the city’s debt could make Jacksonville “the lowest-risk city to invest in in the country” and that the savings in debt service payments would “more than replace” JEA’s contributions to the city. Any decisions to privatize must be approved by the City Council and Duval County voters.
FPL, AT&T in Legal and Regulatory Battle Over Payment for Utility Pole Use
AT&T asked a federal court last week to dismiss a lawsuit filed July 1 by Florida Power & Light (FPL) that accused the telecommunications company of breaching a contract governing the use of shared utility poles. AT&T asked for dismissal of the lawsuit pointing to a complaint it filed at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) alleging FPL’s rates for AT&T’s use of the poles are “unjust and unreasonable.” The two companies have had a joint-use agreement since 1975. FPL’s lawsuit alleges that AT&T has not paid $20 million owed for use of FPL’s poles in 2017 and 2018. In the dismissal motion filed last week, AT&T claimed to have delivered payment to FPL for the disputed amount shortly after the lawsuit was filed. AT&T’s complaint filed with the FCC stated it should receive refunds dating back to 2014 due to FPL’s excessive charges that are in violation of federal law. The companies share an estimated 638,914 poles, with FPL owning 425,704 and AT&T owning 213,210, according to the FCC
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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 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
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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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