FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Sept. 23, 2019
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LAST WEEK
Finance Committee
FMPA’s Finance Committee met last Thursday and approved two action items: 1) resolutions for budget amendments for Stanton, Tri-City and Stanton II projects, and 2) resolutions 2019-EC6 and EC7 series 2019 A & B bonds. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Linda Howard
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Thursday and approved four action items: 1) resolution 2019-B9 – budget amendment for Stanton Project, 2) resolution 2019-B10 – budget amendment for Tri-City Project, 3) resolution 2019-B11 – budget amendment for Stanton II Project, and 4) Board officers’ recommendation on evaluations of FMPA’s General Manager and General Counsel. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee met last Thursday and heard four information items: 1) resolutions 2019-EC6 and EC7 – Series A & B bonds, 2) FPL transmission rate increases, 3) municipal finance disclosure procedure changes, and 4) Starke FGT firm gas transportation contract assignment to FMPA. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
FPL Transmission Rate Increase
FMPA filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last Friday protesting Florida Power and Light’s (FPL’s) proposed transmission rate changes. FPL seeks to change its rate structure from a stated rate to a formula-based rate and to increase its rates for network and point-to-point transmission service, reactive supply and voltage-control services. FMPA requested that FERC suspend FPL’s proposal for the maximum five-month period and establish settlement and hearing procedures. The significant issues raised by FMPA include: 1) FPL’s proposed 10.7% return on equity is excessive, and 2) FPL’s capital structure is weighted too heavily to equity (62.1%) for reasonable ratemaking. Contact: Ken Rutter
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THIS WEEK
General Fund Transfer Survey
Monday is the last day to respond to FMPA’s annual survey of general fund transfer rates. The comparative data will show retail sales, total operating electric revenues and electric fund transfers for each respondent. The results will be available to FMPA’s members once the survey is complete. Contact: Ann Beckwith
Fuse Coordination for Lineworkers
FMPA holds fuse coordination training classes on Monday in Williston and Tuesday in Chattahoochee. Monday is the last day to register for the class on Oct. 2 in Homestead. The classes help lineworkers improve their understanding of the characteristics of fuses and the impact on reliability. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. Contact: Mike McCleary
Cybersecurity Visit and Conference
Carter Manucy travels to Jacksonville Beach on Monday to help with NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection peer review. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Carter attends the Cyber Senate conference in Celebration to speak on Cyber Mutual Assistance.
Bond Counsel RFP
Responses are due Tuesday to FMPA’s request for proposals (RFP) for bond, disclosure and special finance counsel. Contact: Linda Howard or Jody Finklea
TCEC Visit
David Schumann travels to Treasure Coast Energy Center on Tuesday to assist with the development of facility plans for the upcoming fall outage.
Year-end Plant Inventory
FMPA’s Audit Department travels to Stock Island on Tuesday to assist external auditors with year-end inventory counts. The Accounting Department will assist the audit team with an inventory count at Cane Island Power Park on Tuesday and Wednesday. Contact: Liyuan Woerner
Solar Phase I Communications
FMPA’s Public Relations Department meets with Florida Municipal Solar Project Phase I communicators and project partners via conference call on Wednesday. Participants will discuss status updates on the Phase I Project and solar communication, outreach and upcoming events. Contact: Susan Schumann
Grid Mod Workshop
Angel Rivera-Lopez travels to New Smyrna Beach on Wednesday to participate in the utility’s grid modernization workshop facilitated by Quanta Technology, a utility infrastructure consulting company retained by the Utility Commission through FMPA’s continuing services agreement. Participants will discuss customer engagement, reliability, renewables and conservation.
ECG Foreman and Supervisor Conference
Mike McCleary travels to Georgia on Wednesday through Friday to attend Electric Cities of Georgia’s (ECG) Foreman and Supervisor Conference. Mike will present a session titled “Deadline or Dead?” He will share information about the importance of safety and discuss how to create a safety culture while maintaining reliability.
FCG Environmental Committee
Susan Schumann travels to Tampa on Thursday for the monthly Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group (FCG) Environmental Committee meeting.
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.22. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Special Dates
Happy anniversary to Justin Harris, who celebrates two years with FMPA on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
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COMING UP
FMEA Energy Connections Conference and Trade Show
Friday is the last day to get the early-bird registration for the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s (FMEA) annual Energy Connections Conference and Trade Show. The event takes place Oct. 9-10 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista in Kissimmee. Registration is available on FMEA’s website.
Lineman’s Roundtable
Thursday is the deadline to register for FMPA’s Lineman Roundtable on Oct. 3 at the City of Starke’s Fire Station. The roundtable provides a forum for crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and other common issues. Registration is available on FMPA’s website. Contact: Sharon Samuels
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. If FMPA members need assistance with any Public Power Week events, contact Mark McCain.
Public Power Cybersecurity Summit and Scorecard
The American Public Power Association (APPA) will host a Cybersecurity Summit on 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 cyber risks. 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
Duke Energy Files for Energy Rate Decrease in 2020
Duke Energy Florida filed last Monday at the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to lower its energy rates by more than 3% in January. The decrease reflects Duke’s fuel costs, which are a pass through to customer, and other energy conservation and environmental compliance costs. If approved, a residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would save $4.69. The PSC is expected to consider the request this fall. Tampa Electric filed this month at the PSC for a 1% decrease, or $1.06 reduction, for its energy rate effective in January.
Proposed Florida Legislation Would Require 100% Renewable Energy by 2050
A bill filed for the 2020 Florida legislative session aims to shift the state’s electric use to 40% renewable energy sources by 2030 and 100% renewable energy by 2050, using sources such as solar and wind. State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, a sponsor of the bill, says the initiative is an effort to decrease the state’s impact on climate change. The bill hasn’t been scheduled for a hearing in the new legislative term, which begins January 2020.
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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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