FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA staff
Jan. 13, 2020
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LAST WEEK
ARP Executive Committee Appointment
Ocala Electric Utility appointed Interim Electric Utility Director Eric Weaver to FMPA’s Executive Committee last Monday to serve as the city’s interim representative. Contact: Jacob Williams
Increased Cybersecurity Threats
FMPA has been monitoring the increased geopolitical threats as a result of the recent tension between the U.S. and Iran. The American Public Power Association (APPA) sent an email to members last Tuesday with recommendations from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The document includes information on what utilities can do to protect against cyber risks. Members are encouraged to increase organizational vigilance around cybersecurity and to have a plan to protect against potential cyber threats. FMPA staff are available to help members increase their cyber defense, and members are encouraged to fill out the Public Power Cybersecurity Scorecard to assess security levels against cyber risks. Contact: Carter Manucy
Cybersecurity Assessment Program
American Public Power Association (APPA) and joint action agencies across the nation met last week during APPA’s Joint Action Conference to discuss forming a Cybersecurity Assessment Program to provide resources and services to public power utilities. Carter Manucy was elected to serve as a working group lead of the program. The goal of the program is to create a scalable cybersecurity assistance plan for public power utilities of all sizes. The services include cybersecurity assessments and training opportunities. Currently, FMPA has several members interested in the program, and members are encouraged to reach out to FMPA for information. Additional information will be available as the program is developed.
All-Requirements Project December Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s peak demand for December was 782 MW, which occurred Dec. 17 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The project’s load factor for December was 70.9%. 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 total energy consumption was 6.8% lower than the budget, and the monthly peak was 6.1% lower than the budgeted peak. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for December is available on the Portal. Contact: Jason Wolfe
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THIS WEEK
Member City Visits
Ian Beason and Angel Rivera-Lopez travel to Starke on Monday to discuss an electrical project, and Susan Schumann travels to Mount Dora and New Smyrna Beach for Solar II Project follow-up items. Jacob Williams, Chris Gowder and Ken Rutter travel to Williston on Tuesday for a member city visit, while Navid Nowakhtar travels to Bushnell to discuss financial planning support. On Wednesday, Mike McCleary and Ian visit Bushnell for a member city visit.
MSAC Training and Safety Subcommittee
The Training and Safety Subcommittee meets Monday at 1:30 p.m. via conference call. Contact: Mike McCleary
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Tuesday at 2 p.m. via conference call to review December’s ARP rate calculation. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee meets Wednesday at 1 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The committee will hear five information items: 1) state legislative update, 2) electric deregulation proposal in Florida, 3) federal legislative update, 4) “Climate Change and Our Energy Future” presentation by Ken Morgan, retired Professor and Director of Texas Christian University Energy Institute, and 5) roundtable discussion by policy makers on the most important electric issues in their communities. Lunch will be provided at noon. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Finance Committee
FMPA’s Finance Committee meets Wednesday at 3 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The Committee will consider two action items: 1) annual audited financial report, and 2) risk management policies and compliance reports. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Linda Howard
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors meets Thursday at 9 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The Board will consider six action items: 1) guidelines for a significant amount of staff time for an individual member project, 2) external audit report and audited financial statements, 3) Solar I Project Poinsett PPA revisions, 4) parliamentary procedure to suspend rules for reading resolution titles, 5) audit adjustment policy, and 6) risk management policies. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee meets Thursday at 9:15 a.m., or immediately following the Board. The Committee will consider six action items: 1) revision to cost spread reduction program, 2) depositing Vero Beach entitlement capacity sales revenues to rate protection account, 3) audit adjustment policy, 4) external audit report and audited financial statements, 5) Solar I Project Poinsett PPA revisions, and 5) parliamentary procedure to suspend the rules for reading resolution titles. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
FMPA Social Media
FMPA surpassed 1,000 followers on its LinkedIn page. Following FMPA on social media—including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn—is the best way to stay up-to-date on FMPA news and events. Contact: Mark McCain
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COMING UP
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
FMPA’s offices will be closed Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
FMPA Weekly Refresh Project
FMPA Weekly is coming up on its 20th anniversary in early February. The Public Relations Department kicked off a refresh project in November 2019 to ensure the newsletter meets the needs of readers and accomplishes the communications objectives of FMPA. A readership survey was conducted to assess the newsletter’s performance and collect feedback for enhancements. The refreshed newsletter will be launched Feb. 3. Contact: Mark McCain
Florida Lineman Competition
The 2020 Florida Lineman Competition is 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 are available on the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s website.
Regional Crew Leader Roundtables
FMPA will hold five regional crew leader roundtables around the state, including Lake Worth Beach, Blountstown, Fort Meade, New Smyrna Beach and Green Cove Springs. The roundtables are designed to provide an opportunity for foremen and crew leaders to meet with their counterparts from other member utilities and to share best practices. Information on the dates will be available soon. Contact: Mike McCleary
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Florida Supreme Court Rejects Electric Deregulation Ballot Initiative
The Florida Supreme Court rejected the electric deregulation ballot initiative last Thursday that proposed to grant customers of investor-owned utilities the right to choose their electricity provider and to generate and sell electricity. The state’s high court called the proposed constitutional amendment misleading. The Court’s opinion stated, “The ballot summary tells voters that the proposed amendment grants a personal right to ‘sell electricity,’ when in fact the amendment does no such thing.” The Court’s approval of the ballot language was required to get the measure on the November 2020 ballot. A second qualifying requirement was to secure 766,200 signatures from votes by Feb. 1, and according to the state Division of Elections, the measure was currently 124,000 signatures short. Twenty-five parties filed briefs against the initiative, including investor-owned electric utilities, municipal electric utilities, Florida Public Service Commission, Florida Senate and House of Representatives, State Attorney General, Audubon Society and others. FMPA General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer Jody Finklea was one of the attorneys who presented testimony on behalf of electric utilities in opposition to the measure during the court’s oral arguments last August. This was the second attempt to deregulate the state’s electric utilities, an idea that previously was not approved by the 2018 Constitution Revision Commission.
Florida Legislature Convenes for Regular 60-day Session
The Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday for the 60-day, regular legislative session. The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) will hold its annual Legislative Rally in Tallahassee on Feb. 10-11. Visit FMEA’s website for additional details and to register for the event.
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FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA’s Public Relations Department for all employees of the Agency. Questions or comments about this newsletter may be directed to Melisa Inanc or Melanie Arsenault.
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 story idea for the newsletter? FMPA welcomes all employees’ story suggestions including updates on FMPA business, employees’ personal or family accomplishments, as well as industry news suggestions. 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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