FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Jan. 6, 2020
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LAST WEEK
Rating Affirmations and Revised Outlook
Fitch Ratings affirmed the credit ratings of FMPA’s Stanton II and St. Lucie projects last Monday. Fitch assigned an ‘A+’ rating to the Stanton II Project and revised the rating outlook to stable from negative. Fitch also affirmed the ‘A’ rating on the St. Lucie Project and revised the rating outlook to negative from stable, reflecting Fitch’s assessment of the credit quality of the project participants, particularly the dominate purchaser, despite recognizing the strong revenue sources and independent ability for municipal utilities to raise rates. Contact: Linda Howard
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THIS WEEK
Solar I Project
The Solar I Project committees meet Monday at 1 p.m. via conference call to approve the Poinsett facility power purchase agreement amendment and Harmony solar substation cost-sharing letter agreement. Contact: Susan Schumann
Joint Action Conference
Several representatives from FMPA attend the American Public Power Association’s Joint Action Conference in California through Tuesday. Jacob Williams, Amy Zubaly of FMEA and Barry Moline of California Municipal Utilities Association will participate in a panel discussion on “Advocating for Public Power: Why and How.”
Member City Visit
Mike McCleary and Cairo Vanegas travel to Key West on Monday through Friday to provide specialized training in support of recent operational changes.
APPA Legislative Rally
FMPA’s Public Relations Department holds a kick-off conference call on Wednesday with representatives from the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) to begin planning for the annual Legislative Rally in Washington, D.C. The annual rally hosted by the American Public Power Association (APPA) will be held Feb. 24-26. FMPA and FMEA are coordinating arrangements for nearly 40 people from Florida’s public power utilities who plan to attend. Contact: Mark McCain
Cane Island Visit
Jamie Noon travels to Cane Island on Monday for fiscal 2021 budget planning. Tim Jackson and David Schumann visit Cane Island on Thursday for a plant visit.
FCG Environmental Committee
Susan Schumann travels to Tampa on Thursday to attend a planning session for the Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group’s (FCG) Environmental Committee.
Operational Safety Programs and Training Opportunities
Friday is the last day to respond to FMPA’s survey on operational safety and training opportunities for its members. FMPA’s Member Services Department is soliciting feedback on the internal programs and external resources that members offer. The online survey was sent to the Board of Directors and alternates and other interested parties. The survey results will be available during the MSAC Training and Safety Subcommittee on Jan. 13. Contact: Mike McCleary
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 Jan 5. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Special Dates
Congratulations to Chris Gowder, who celebrates 19 years with FMPA on Thursday, Jan. 9.
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COMING UP
MSAC Training and Safety Subcommittee
The Training and Safety Subcommittee meets Jan. 13 at 1:30 p.m. via conference call. This subcommittee of FMPA’s Member Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) is continuing its investigation of options for lineman safety and training services to Florida’s municipal utilities. Contact: Mike McCleary
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee meets Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. Lunch will be provided at noon. Contact: Mark McCain
Finance Committee
FMPA’s Finance Committee meets Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando Office. 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
APPA Safety Awards of Excellence
Applications are open for the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Safety Awards of Excellence. The awards are conducted annually to emphasize the importance of safe working habits, recognize utilities that achieve safe operations and share aggregate safety-related statistical information. More information is available on APPA’s website. Winners will be announced in April. Applications are due Jan. 31.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
JEA Board Meets to Discuss CEO Aaron Zahn’s Severance
The JEA Board of Directors will discuss the status of CEO Aaron Zahn’s severance package at a special meeting on Tuesday. JEA’s Board voted to terminate Zahn in December, putting him on administrative leave while city attorneys investigated whether the separation will be with or without cause. The decision comes after public backlash regarding an employee incentive plan that could have cost millions of dollars if the utility was sold. The Board canceled the incentive plan Dec. 17 and voted to end the privatization process Dec. 24. If terminated without cause, Zahn’s severance package would cost the utility at least $842,000.
Florida Power and Light (FPL) customers will see a reduction in monthly electric bills due to the utility’s lower fuel costs. Residential customers who use 1,000 kWh per month will see a nearly $4 reduction effective with January bills. FPL spent approximately $270 million for storm restoration costs after Hurricane Dorian in 2019 but the utility said it was able to absorb the expenses through operational efficiencies and avoid charging customers for the restoration efforts, saving customers an average of $54.
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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 Melanie Arsenault 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 Melanie Arsenault
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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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