|
July 6, 2020 |
TOP NEWS
Florida Municipal Solar Project
Six Florida cities including Fort Pierce, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Ocala and Orlando have been receiving solar energy from the Harmony Solar Energy Center and Taylor Creek Solar Energy Center since last Tuesday. The two facilities generated maximum capacity of 149 megawatts and are the first of five solar sites that will provide a total of 373 megawatts of emissions-free energy for participating members by the end of 2023.
Fixed Price Natural Gas
The ARP Executive Committee approved an action item during the June Governing Board meetings to secure fixed prices on natural gas purchases below approved budget levels. The purpose of the program is to provide additional rate certainty below budget levels for fiscal 2021. FMPA team and Florida Gas Utility (FGU) developed a program that will lock in specific volumes of natural gas that will be utilized in FMPA’s baseload units at Cane Island and Treasure Coast. FGU has secured roughly 25% of FMPA’s forecasted burn at fixed pricing at weighted average roughly $(0.189)/MMbtu below budget to date. FGU continues to monitor the market and supply/demand, while meeting the Board’s requests. Contact: Ken Rutter
Gear Up Project
Keys Energy Services and FMPA Power Resources team met last week to refine the fiscal 2021 capital projects and goals for the Stock Island Generation Efficiency & Reliability (GEAR Up) project. The goals focused on successful response to a tie line outage and increased response to forced outages. A new goal has been added to enhance and track first start availability and performance for each unit at Stock Island Generating Facility. The team also reviewed projects that were completed in fiscal 2020 including a roof repair and coating for unit CT4, relay replacements for EP2, radiator replacements and new reliability monitoring equipment for CT1, and reconditioning of the fire suppression system water tank. FMPA will continue to update members on the progress of the project. Contact: Ken Rutter
General Fund Transfer Survey
FMPA is updating its survey of utility fund transfers for FMPA’s members. The survey is administered annually and collects data on retail sales, total operating electric revenues and electric fund transfers. An email from Sue Utley includes a link to the survey. Responses are due by July 17. Results will be used to show the value of municipal electric utilities and the benefits that these transfers provide. Contact: Ann Beckwith
Power Quality Assistance
FMPA is helping the city of Fort Meade resolve a power quality issue that occurs when the utility supply voltage is outside acceptable parameters. This can result in flickering lights or situations where electronic equipment does not operate correctly. FMPA has a power quality recorder to assist members in analyzing these situations and identifying solutions. For assistance with power quality issues, contact Cairo Vanegas.
Credit Card Audit
FMPA’s Audit Department is performing the credit card audit this week. The purpose of this audit is to assess the effectiveness of FMPA’s internal control on credit card usage from Oct. 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2019. Contact: Liyuan Woerner
APPA Public Power Communication Awards
The American Public Power Association (APPA) is accepting nominations for the Excellence in Public Communications awards. Submissions are available in three categories: web and social media, video, and print and digital materials. Nominations are due by Aug. 21. Additional information can be found on APPA’s website.
SPECIAL DATES
Anniversaries
Trent Lewis | July 6 | 5 Years
Gary Fisk | July 12 | 10 Years
COMING UP
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
July 14 | 2 p.m. | Teleconference
Purchasing Roundtable
July 16 | 10 a.m. | Teleconference
FMPA Governing Board Meetings
July 29 | 9 a.m. | FMPA’s Orlando Office
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
July 29 | 1 p.m. | FMPA’s Orlando Office
TOP INDUSTRY NEWS
JEA to Close Plant Scherer Unit 4 by 2022
DeSantis Signs State Budget, Vetoes $1 billion in Spending
Duke Energy Florida Proposes New Solar Program
FPL Asks State Regulators for $240M in Hurricane Dorian Costs
__________________________________________________________________
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.