FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Sept. 9, 2019
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LAST WEEK
Hurricane Dorian
FMPA’s generation fleet is back to full strength in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. Jacob Williams sent an email last Friday to the full generation team expressing his appreciation for the team’s efforts and acknowledged the way they worked together to manage the potential and real challenges that Dorian presented. All FMPA’s generation sites contributed to the cause of continuing to safely provide low-cost and reliable power to FMPA members with an eye toward the long-term protection of our team members and the assets they operate. Jacob wrote, “I could not be prouder of the FMPA Generation Fleet Team operating as the Team we are looking for. Well done.” FMPA was also prepared to send several FMPA team members to member cities that, at one time or another, were in the projected path of the storm and had requested assistance. The volunteers were prepared to help with damage assessment and other support functions. Luckily, for Florida’s municipals, their deployment was not necessary.
Florida Trend Magazine’s Florida 500
Florida Trend magazine released last Friday its annual list of the 500 most influential business leaders in Florida, and FMPA’s Jacob Williams is included among a select group for the energy industry. The editor of Florida Trend said the 500 leaders were selected based on extensive contacts in regional business circles, hundreds of interviews and months of research. Also included on the list representing public power are Amy Zubaly of FMEA, Aaron Zahn of JEA and Clint Bullock of OUC.
All-Requirements Project August Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s peak demand for August was 1,208 MW, which occurred Aug. 26 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The project’s load factor for August was 68.71%. 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 3% lower than the budgeted peak, and energy was 0.1% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for August is available on the Portal. Contact: Jason Wolfe
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THIS WEEK
Member City Visits
Mike McCleary travels to Bushnell on Monday while Cairo Vanegas travels to Clewiston for a substation maintenance visit. Chris Gowder and Susan Schumann travel to Mount Dora on Monday for a Solar Phase II Project meeting. On Thursday, Mike travels to Fort Meade for a member city visit.
ARP Executive Committee, Finance Committee and Rate Workshop
A joint telephonic meeting will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. for FMPA’s Executive Committee, Finance Committee and ARP Rate Workshop. The agenda includes two information items: 1) ARP rate discussion for August, and 2) budget amendments for Stanton, Stanton II and Tri-City projects. Contact: Jacob Williams
Pooled Loan
The City of Bushnell and FMPA close on an $8 million loan this Wednesday through the Agency’s new Pooled Loan Project. Bushnell is using the money for system expansion. Contact: Linda Howard
Annual Report Kickoff
FMPA’s Public Relations Department meets Thursday to kick off planning for FMPA’s 2019 Annual Report. The team will discuss the fiscal year’s highlights and begin developing themes and concepts. The report will be available in early 2020. Contact: Mark McCain
Wastewater Pipe, Valves, & Fittings
FMPA is developing its first collaborative bid for Wastewater Pipe, Valves & Fittings. Interested members can contact Sharon Samuels by Sept. 13.
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 Sept. 8. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Special Dates
Happy anniversary to Ann Beckwith, who celebrates 18 years with FMPA on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Happy anniversary to Jacob Williams, who celebrates three years with FMPA on Thursday, Sept. 12.
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COMING UP
Fuse Coordination for Lineworkers
Tuesday is the last day to register for FMPA’s fuse coordination training classes on Sept. 17 in Mount Dora and Sept. 18 in Wauchula. There are additional classes offered Sept. 23 in Williston and Sept. 24 in Chattahoochee. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Mike McCleary
Florida Utility Electric Vehicle Roundtable
Friday is the last day to register for the Florida Utility Electric Vehicle Roundtable on Sept. 17 in Orlando. The event is hosted by Orlando Utilities Commission and the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA). Discussion topics 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. Register for free on FMEA’s website.
Finance Committee
FMPA’s Finance Committee will meet Sept. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. Contact: Linda Howard
Governing Boards
FMPA’s governing boards will meet Sept. 19 in FMPA’s Orlando office. The Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m., and the Executive Committee will meet immediately following the Board of Directors. Contact: Jacob Williams
Reliable Public Power Provider
The deadline to complete the Reliability Public Power (RP3) application is Monday, Sept. 30. The American Public Power Association’s RP3 designation is a program based on industry-recognized leading practices in the four disciplines of reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement. First-time applicants can receive a 15% discount on the application fee using the code “JAA&SA2019RP3”. FMPA’s members are encouraged to visit APPA’s website for more information. Members can contact Mike McCleary or Cairo Vanegas for assistance with the application.
Public Power Week
Municipal electric utilities across the nation will celebrate Public Power Week on Oct. 6-12. The annual event is an opportunity for local utilities to share the value of public power with their communities. FMPA staff are available to participate in members’ Public Power Week events. Interested members can contact Mark McCain.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
TECO Files for Energy Rate Decrease in 2020
Tampa Electric Co. (TECO) filed last Tuesday at the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to lower its energy rates approximately one percent in January. The slight decrease reflects TECO’s fuel costs, which are a pass through to customer. A residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would save $1.06. The PSC is expected to take up the request this fall.
Hurricane Dorian Bypasses Florida with Only Minor Power Outages
Florida was fortunate that Hurricane Dorian—at one point a dangerous Category 5 storm—did not make landfall last week in the state. The storm had the potential to impact all of Florida’s public power communities, but it made a sharp turn north and Florida only experienced minor impacts and power outages. Preparing for the worst, Florida’s public power utilities put out the call for mutual aid, and more than 1,000 lineworkers from more than 20 states answered. FMEA Executive Director Amy Zubaly wrote in a thank you statement posted online, “We greatly appreciate your crews’ willingness to leave their families and homes to enter challenging and even dangerous situations on behalf of fellow public power communities. This is the great value of public power. We are truly a community not bound by city, county or state lines. We are a community that exists to serve public power customers no matter where they are located.”
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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 Rachel Ilardi 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 Rachel Ilardi
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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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