FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Aug. 12, 2019
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LAST WEEK
Electric Deregulation Ballot Initiative
The Florida Supreme Court issued an order Aug. 2 directing the Financial Impact Estimating Conference (FIEC) to prepare an amended financial impact statement for the electric deregulation ballot initiative. The initiative, titled “Right to Competitive Energy Market for Customers of Investor-Owned Utilities; Allowing Energy Choice,” would grant customers of investor-owned utilities the right to choose their electricity provider and to generate and sell electricity. FIEC has until Aug. 22 to submit the amended statement to the court, in advance of oral arguments that are scheduled for Aug. 28. In April, FMPA, Orlando Utilities Commission and Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) jointly filed a brief opposing the initiative. FMEA will participate in oral arguments before the court in August. The Supreme Court is expected to rule later this year. Contact: Dan O’Hagan
Joint Solar Committee Meeting
The Solar Project Committee and the ARP Solar Participants Advisory Committee met last Wednesday via teleconference and discussed the potential relocation of the Poinsett Solar facility to an alternate site in North Central Florida. The relocation was proposed by project developer Florida Renewable Partners to avoid delays resulting from Duke Energy’s interconnection process. Participants voted to remain at the Poinsett site, despite the potential delays. Contact: Susan Schumann
Cybersecurity Scorecard Assistance
FMPA’s Information Technology Department helped an Agency member complete the Public Power Cybersecurity Scorecard, an online tool to assess security levels for protection from cyber risk. The assessment took approximately one hour to complete and provided valuable feedback to the city. FMPA encourages its members to fill out the scorecard and to reach out to FMPA’s IT staff for any assistance. Contact: Carol Chinn
All-Requirements Project July Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s system peak for July 2019 was 1,262 MW, which occurred July 2 between the hours of 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. The project’s load factor for July was 64.7%. 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 5.1% above the budgeted peak, and total energy consumption was 1.5% above the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for July is available on the Portal. Contact: Jason Wolfe
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THIS WEEK
FPL Transmission Rate Increase
Florida Power and Light (FPL) plans to file Monday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requesting a 32% increase its transmission rates for network and point-to-point service under FPL’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). FPL’s transmission rate has been the same since 2011, and the utility said it has invested $2.1 billion in its transmission system. As a result, FPL said it no longer is recovering the full cost of providing transmission service. FPL is seeking to increase its wholesale transmission service rate from $1.59 per kW per month to $2.10 effective Nov. 1. The rate also would change from a stated rate to a formula rate, which would be adjusted annually beginning Jan. 1, 2020, based on FPL’s projected cost of providing transmission service. If approved, the filing would also update FPL’s rate for Reactive Supply and Voltage Control Service from $0.1008 per kW per month to $0.1713. This rate has not changed since 1998. Once the application is submitted to FERC, FPL’s wholesale power customers will receive a copy. FMPA has reached out to affected members to coordinate intervention in the case. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Member City Visits
Chris Gowder and Susan Schumann travel to Alachua on Monday for Solar Project Phase II discussions. Mike McCleary travels to Bushnell on Monday and Williston on Tuesday. On Tuesday, FMPA staff travel to Kissimmee to discuss areas of potential rate development support.
Power Plant Visits
FMPA staff travel to Cane Island and Treasure Coast on Tuesday to discuss electrical equipment monitoring and diagnostics technology. Contact: Carl Turner
Substation Maintenance Bid
The deadline for participation in the Substation Maintenance bid is Tuesday. Members who are interested can send interest forms to Sharon Samuels.
Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Wednesday via conference call at 2 p.m. for the monthly All-Requirements Project (ARP) Rate Workshop. The agenda includes a review of July ARP rate calculations. Contact: Jason Wolfe
APPA Webinar on Electric Vehicles
APPA hosts a webinar on Wednesday to share information about planning for electric vehicles (EV). The webinar will feature a Public Power EV Planning Tool Kit created by American Municipal Power, Inc. and the Smart Electric Power Alliance. The tool kit provides economic analysis support in assessing municipal EV fleet options and potential impacts on the electric distribution system. The webinar is free for the Association’s DEED members, which includes FMPA’s members by virtue of the Agency’s membership.
Systems Control Roundtable
FMPA hosts a Systems Control Roundtable at Gainesville Regional Utilities on Thursday 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. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Solar Phase II Meeting
FMPA meets with Origis Energy on Thursday at FMPA’s Orlando office to discuss power purchase agreement terms for Solar Project Phase II. 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 Aug. 11. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Special Dates
Happy anniversary to Sharon Adams, who celebrates 18 years with FMPA on Tuesday, Aug. 13.
Happy anniversary to Rattanak Srun, who celebrates seven years with FMPA on Tuesday, Aug. 13.
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COMING UP
Substation Training
Registration closes Tuesday for FMPA’s Substation Inspection & Testing class 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
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
Finance Committee
FMPA’s Finance Committee will meet Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. Contact: Linda Howard
Governing Board Meetings
FMPA’s governing boards will meet Aug. 22 in FMPA’s Orlando office. 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
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INDUSTRY NEWS
PSC to Hold Hearing on Energy-Conservation Goals
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) meets Monday at 1:30 p.m. for what could be a multi-day hearing on energy-conservation goals for the state’s largest electric utilities. PSC updates energy efficiency goals for the utilities every five years. As part of that process, market studies are conducted to determine electricity cost savings over a 10-year period. The goals through 2029 include cumulative energy savings and reductions in peak demand. Several utilities are also pushing for zero-emission energy goals. The hearing will include Florida Power & Light, Gulf Power, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric, Florida Public Utilities, JEA and Orlando Utilities Commission. The meetings are available to view in live stream.
Tampa Electric Begins Construction on Power Plant Project
Tampa Electric (TECO) started construction last Tuesday on the Big Bend power plant in Apollo Beach. The project will convert one of TECO’s coal-fired units to a natural gas-fueled unit. The project is estimated to cost $850 million and take four years to complete. The Tampa Bay Sierra Club opposes the project, insisting that the project will result in more coal being burned at the facility.
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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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8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
www.fmpa.com
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