FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Dec. 30, 2019
____________________________________________________
LAST WEEK
Operational Safety Programs and Training Opportunities
FMPA sent a survey last Monday to the Board of Directors and alternates and other interested parties about operational safety and training opportunities for its members. The survey asks members to share feedback on internal programs and external resources that they currently use. Feedback is being gathered now to begin planning in mid-January. Members are encouraged to respond as soon as possible. Contact: Mike McCleary
Meeting Calendar
The events calendar on FMPA.com is updated for 2020. The meeting calendar includes: 1) FMPA meetings, 2) affiliate meetings, 3) conferences, 4) training and roundtables, and 5) workshops. The calendar can be viewed by month, week or list. More events will be added to the calendar during the year as they are scheduled.
____________________________________________________
THIS WEEK
Holiday Office Closure
FMPA’s offices will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday in observance of the New Year’s holiday. Best wishes to all for a safe and happy holiday.
Nissan Electric Vehicle Rebates
Rebates available through the American Public Power Association’s partnership with Nissan expire on Thursday. The deal offers 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.
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 Dec. 29. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Special Dates
Congratulations to Linda Howard, who celebrates three years with FMPA on Friday, Jan. 3.
____________________________________________________
COMING UP
Member Services Advisory Committee
FMPA’s Member Services Advisory Committee meets Jan. 13 at 1:30 p.m. via conference call. Contact: Mark McCain
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee meets Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. Contact: Mark McCain
Finance Committee
FMPA’s Finance Committee meets Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando Office. The Committee will discuss FMPA’s audited financial statements and then consider approval of the financials and recommendation of them to FMPA’s governing board. The statements were emailed to FMPA’s governing boards and Finance Committee for prior review. Contact: Linda Howard
Governing Board Meetings
FMPA’s governing boards meet Jan. 16 in the Orlando office. The Board of Directors meets at 9 a.m., and the Executive Committee meets at 9:15 a.m., or immediately following the Board. Contact: Jacob Williams
FMEA Legislative Rally
Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) will host its annual Florida Legislative Rally on Feb. 10-11 in Tallahassee. The event provides an opportunity for municipal electric utilities to meet state legislators and discuss issues that impact the electric utility industry. Registration information is available on FMEA’s website.
Florida Lineman Competition
Registration is open for the 2020 Florida Lineman Competition to be held March 13-14 in Tallahassee. The event hosted by city of Tallahassee features journeyman and apprentice competitions, as well as training classes and sessions to practice essential skills in a safe environment. Competition information and registration is available on the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s website.
____________________________________________________
INDUSTRY NEWS
JEA Board Ends Privatization Talks
The JEA Board of Directors unanimously voted to end the utility’s privatization process during an emergency meeting last Tuesday. The process, which began in July, is estimated to have cost $10 million. The decision comes after public backlash over a proposed employee benefit plan that would have cost millions of dollars if the utility was sold. The JEA Board fired CEO Aaron Zahn on Dec. 17, and other recent leadership departures include the utility’s chief financial officer and its chief legal officer. Last Friday, JEA began releasing many of the 16 bid responses received. Two respondents have objected to the release of documents. The available information is posted on JEA’s website. Jacksonville Councilman Ron Salem and others have called for an investigation into JEA’s canceled employee benefit plan and Aaron Zahn’s hiring as CEO.
Electric Deregulation Initiative Receives Over 600,000 Petition Signatures
A proposed constitutional amendment to deregulate the electricity market in Florida has collected 615,968 petition signatures. Supporters of the initiative must submit 766,200 signatures by Feb. 1 to make it on the ballot, and the proposed ballot wording needs approval by the Florida Supreme Court. The Court heard oral arguments Aug. 28 on the ballot wording but has not issued a ruling yet.
____________________________________________________
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
__________________________________________________________
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. ®
__________________________________________________________