FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Aug. 19, 2019
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LAST WEEK
Leesburg Board Representative
The Leesburg City Commission appointed Electric Utility Director Brad Chase to serve as the city’s representative to FMPA’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Contact: Jacob Williams
OUC Transmission Rate Increase
Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) formally notified FMPA of plans to increase its rates for firm transmission service under FMPA’s grandfathered transmission contracts. The monthly charges will increase by 9.8% from $1,504 per MW to $1,652 per MW effective Oct. 1. Additionally, OUC filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to increase its rates for firm transmission service under OUC’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) by 15.5% effective Oct. 1. OUC states the increases are necessary due to investments in its transmission system and expenses for compliance with NERC reliability standards. Except for the All-Requirements Project’s agreement with OUC for transmission service for Stanton A, all of FMPA’s firm transmission agreements with OUC are grandfathered agreements. Service for Stanton A is provided under OUC’s OATT. Contact: Jason Wolfe
General Fund Transfer Survey
FMPA’s annual survey of general fund transfer rates was launched last Thursday. The comparative data will show retail sales, total operating electric revenues and electric fund transfers for each respondent. Responses to the online survey are due by Aug. 30. The results will be posted online once the survey is complete. Previous years’ survey results can be found on FMPA’s Portal. Contact: Ann Beckwith
3 Phase Times
FMPA’s Power Resources Division published the July 2019 edition of 3 Phase Times last Friday. 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 report shows that peak demand in July was 5% above budget. Natural gas represented 75.5% of ARP’s total energy sources in July. FMPA sold 6% of its generation to the Florida Municipal Power Pool (FMPP). The FMPP Average Monthly Gas Dispatch Price in July was $2.60 per MMBtu, or 35 cents below budget. The base-load units operated at 94.3%. The full report is available on the Portal. Contact: Joe McKinney
Congratulations, Luis
Congratulations to Luis Cruz, who earned the Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP) certificate last week. The certification is awarded to individuals who demonstrate knowledge in securing critical infrastructure.
Cybersecurity
Twenty local government entities across Texas were hit by a coordinated ransomware attack, the state’s Department of Information Resources announced last Friday. Reports of ransomware attacks are increasing, notably among municipal entities. In these cases, hackers infiltrate computer systems and shut down access to computers or data. The victim is then must pay a ransom to regain access to their data and systems. FMPA encourages its members to evaluate their cybersecurity by completing the Public Power Cybersecurity Scorecard, an online self-assessment tool. FMPA staff members are available to help members complete the scorecard. Contact: Carol Chinn
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THIS WEEK
Member City Visits
Cairo Vanegas travels to Clewiston on Monday and Fort Pierce on Tuesday. Luis Cruz meets with Green Cove Springs on Monday via teleconference to discuss technology assistance for the city. Navid Nowakhtar and Susan Schumann travel to New Smyrna Beach on Wednesday to discuss solar subscription rates with the Utilities Commission.
NERC Audit
Representatives from SERC Reliability Corporation visit FMPA’s Orlando office on Tuesday to audit FMPA’s compliance with NERC Reliability Standards. Contact: Brandon McCormick
Substation Training
FMPA’s Substation Inspection & Testing class is Tuesday through Thursday at Orlando Utilities Commission’s Engineering Building in Orlando. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Meterman Certification
Meterman Certification Program from Electric Cities of Georgia is Tuesday through Thursday in Newnan, Georgia. Contact: Mike McCleary
Finance Committee
FMPA’s Finance Committee meets Wednesday at 2 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The committee will consider four action items: 1) risk policy changes, 2) fiscal 2019 budget for the Pooled Loan Project and recommendation to the Board of Directors, 3) underwriter selection for the 2019 refinancing request for proposals, and 4) change to the first- and second-read process for items recommended by the Finance Committee to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for approval. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Linda Howard
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors meet Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The Board will consider two action items: 1) fiscal 2019 budget for the Pooled Loan Project, and 2) change to the first- and second-read process for items recommended by the Finance Committee to the Board of Directors for approval. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee meets Thursday at 8:45 a.m. or immediately after the Board of Directors meeting. The committee will consider two action items: 1) Wells Fargo line of credit extension, and 2) change to the first- and second-read process for items recommended by the Finance Committee to the Executive Committee for approval. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
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. 18. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Special Dates
Happy anniversary to Carter Manucy, who celebrates 23 years with FMPA on Monday, Aug. 19.
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COMING UP
Florida Utility Electric Vehicle Roundtable
Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) and the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) will host a Florida Utility Electric Vehicle Roundtable on Sept. 17 in Orlando. Discussion topics will include an update on the electric vehicle (EV) landscape in Florida, EV’s impact on the electric utility industry and what utilities are doing to prepare for greater numbers of EVs. Registration is available on FMEA’s website.
Fuse Coordination for Lineworkers
FMPA will hold training classes on fuse coordination for lineworkers. The class will help lineworkers understand the characteristics of fuses. The regional classes are offered Sept. 17 in Mount Dora, Sept. 18 in Wauchula, Sept. 23 in Williston and Sept. 24 in Chattahoochee. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Mike McCleary
Communicators Roundtable
The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) will hold a Florida Public Power Communicators Roundtable on Oct. 8 in Kissimmee at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South. The session coincides with the FMEA Energy Connections Conference and Trade Show. The roundtable provides an opportunity for communicators to discuss common issues and is open to communications and marketing staff, utility spokespersons and municipal staff from Florida public power utilities. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided.
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 Takes Testimony on Energy-Efficiency Goals for Florida’s Largest Utilities
The Florida Public Service Commission heard multiple days of testimony last week in a case to set numeric energy conservation goals for Florida’s largest electric utilities. The utilities proposed what they believe are cost-effective goals, but environmentalists and consumer advocates want regulators to increase the goals. The utilities involved are Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric, Gulf Power, Florida Public Utilities, Orlando Utilities Commission and JEA. Public Counsel J.R. Kelly, who represents consumers in utility issues, said he would like the utilities to lay out goals that are “challenging” and “achievable” while continuing programs to help low-income residents. Kelly added that rate impacts must be considered. “We have some ratepayers that are in favor of more energy efficiency. We have some that are not in favor of more energy efficiency,” Kelly said. “A lot of it depends on how it hits their particular pocketbook.”
Electric Deregulation Effort Reports Finances Ahead of Supreme Court Hearing
A political committee spearheading a proposed constitutional amendment to overhaul Florida’s electric-utility industry received $668,000 in July as it continues to try to get the measure on the 2020 ballot. All $668,000 came from Coalition for Energy Choice, Inc, according to a newly filed finance report. The report also showed that the political committee Citizens for Energy Choices spent $766,000 in July, mostly for petition gathering and verification. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow customers of investor-owned utilities to choose their electricity supplier. In addition, the amendment would make structural changes to the industry. To get the measure on the November 2020 ballot, Citizens for Energy Choices must submit at least 766,200 verified petition signatures to the state by Feb. 1 and receive approval of the proposed ballot wording by the Florida Supreme Court. As of last Tuesday, the state had received 386,312 valid petition signatures, according to the Florida Division of Elections website. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Aug. 28 on the ballot wording.
NextEra Energy Transmission Line Project Under DEP Review
Florida state officials started the review process last Friday for a 176-mile transmission line proposed by NextEra Energy. The line would cross seven North Florida counties to connect a Florida Power & Light substation in Columbia County to a Gulf Power substation in Jackson County. NextEra owns both utilities. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) has until Aug. 29 to determine whether the application is complete. DEP can request more information from NextEra. Once the application is deemed complete, the permit is considered for 60 days. The NextEra project is estimated to cost $350 million to $380 million.
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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
Community Power. Statewide Strength. ®
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