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April 27, 2020 |
TOP NEWS
Number of Cities Bringing Savings Forward Grows
Five Florida cities announced plans to lower bills in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the number of utilities that will provide financial relief for customers to 21. These rate reductions will save about $60 million for the more than 3.5 million Floridians served by the utilities. Several other cities including Bartow and New Smyrna Beach are considering rate reductions. Members are encouraged to reach out to FMPA team members for support with financial analyses, communications and other projects.
FMPA Staff to Return to Office
FMPA has been working with its employees, members and partners to ensure everyone’s well-being and to continue operating throughout the COVID-19 situation. As Florida begins its process to re-open for business, FMPA will follow recommendations for a three-phase approach for employees to return to the office over the next several weeks. Phase 1 begins Monday, April 27, when FMPA’s office will be open for team members who choose to return, primarily those who have already been coming into the office on a limited basis. Those returning to the office will be expected to follow social distancing guidelines. Personal protection equipment will be available, and no outside visitors will be allowed in the building. If everything goes as planned, all employees will be able to return after Memorial Day. FMPA’s leadership team is monitoring the situation and will adjust accordingly.
2019 Annual Report
FMPA’s 2019 Annual Report titled “Value in Action” is being printed this week. The 10-page book highlights the year’s accomplishments on how FMPA and its members are working together to create value for our customers. The report will be mailed to members and other stakeholders. The report is also available on FMPA.com.
Planned Maintenance Outage
Stanton Unit 1 came back online last week after a planned maintenance outage. Contact: David Schumann
Reliability Standards
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved a motion filed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) last week to defer the implementation of several reliability standards. The motion delays reliability standards that have both effective and phase-in implementation dates in the second half of 2020. This will help ensure grid reliability and provide registered entities with regulatory certainty during this time. Contact: Truong Le
APPA’s Safety Award of Excellence
Congratulations to Fort Pierce, Keys Energy Services and New Smyrna Beach who earned the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2019. More than 335 utilities entered the annual safety awards and winners were announced last week. Utilities who earn this award prove that protecting the safety of their employees is a top priority. A full list of winners is available on APPA’s website.
Reliable Public Power Designation
Congratulations to Beaches Energy Services, Homestead, Keys Energy Services, Ocala and Leesburg who received the 2020 Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation. The American Public Power Association’s RP3 program is based on industry-recognized leading practices in the four disciplines of reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement. A total of 114 public power utilities earned the designation, which is valid for three years. The full list of designees is available on APPA’s website.
Mobile Substation Project
Thirteen cities participated in FMPA’s webinar last Wednesday to discuss options and next steps for the Mobile Substation Project. Next steps include a technical data gathering and assessment phase for FMPA employees. This will help members determine if they need a contingency plan in the event of a long-term outage on a substation transformer. Bartow, Beaches Energy Services, Homestead, Keys Energy Services, Lake Worth Beach, Leesburg, New Smyrna Beach and Winter Park are interested in participating. Other cities interested in participating can contact Cairo Vanegas.
NABA Community Event
Linda Howard and members of the National Association of Black Accountants presented information on careers in accounting and finance last week. The presentation was given to students from six middle schools and three high schools via Zoom. A total of 65 students were on the call.
Salary Survey
Members are encouraged to respond by Friday to FMPA’s annual utility salary survey. The survey results will provide FMPA’s members with Florida-specific salary and benefit information. Contact: Sharon Adams
SPECIAL DATES
Anniversaries
Juan Bailey | April 28 | 12 Years
Rich Popp | April 29 | 18 Years
Jamie Noon | May 2 | 15 Years
COMING UP
APPA Public Power Preparations for COVID-19
April 30 | 3:30 p.m. | Teleconference
Finance Committee
May 20 | 1 p.m. | Teleconference
FMPA Governing Board Meetings
May 21 | 9 a.m. | Teleconference
TOP INDUSTRY NEWS
FPL and Gulf Power to Merge in 2022
State Bond Chief Says Florida Can Manage Revenue Losses
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FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA’s Public Relations Department for staff and members. Questions about this newsletter may be directed to Melisa Inanc or Melanie Arsenault. Check out FMPA’s Glossary, for frequently mentioned terms.