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Oct. 12, 2020 |
TOP NEWS
PSC Approves New Storm Hardening Plan
Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a rule last Tuesday that allows Florida municipal electric utilities and rural electric cooperatives to file for storm-hardening plans every three years instead of the current yearly reporting requirement. All regulated electric utilities in Florida are required to submit a storm-hardening plan to the PSC. These plans help strengthen the infrastructure to avoid excessive damage from hurricanes and improve power restoration times. The PSC had previously approved rules extending the investor-owned storm hardening reporting period to every three years. The newly approved rule for municipal utilities and cooperatives brings their reporting period in alignment with the IOUs and will begin with the March 2021 reporting cycle. FMPA’s Jody Finklea and Dan O’Hagan filed comments and participated in the PSC proceedings on behalf of Florida Municipal Electric Association and the FMPA members.
MSAC Training and Safety Subcommittee
FMPA’s Member Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) Training and Safety Subcommittee met last Thursday and approved the award for the Lineworker Safety and Training Services request for proposal (RFP). The Subcommittee decided to award the safety program portion of the RFP to Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA) and to award the training services portion to more than one bidder. The training services were awarded to both TVPPA and SET Solutions. Moving forward, FMPA and TVPPA will work together to create a Lineworker Safety Program for Florida cities effective July 1, 2021. The final agreements for the Safety Program will be subject to approval by MSAC and FMPA’s Board of Directors. Contact: Mark McCain
Legal and Regulatory Virtual Conference
Dan O’Hagan, KUA’s Grant Lacerte, and Jody Finklea present at the American Public Power Association (APPA) Legal and Regulatory Virtual Conference on Tuesday. Their presentation, “COVID-19: Preparing for the Next Crisis,” will discuss lessons learned from COVID-19 and its effects on the public power industry. More information on the conference can be found on APPA’s website.
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets on Tuesday at 2 p.m. via teleconference to review September’s ARP rate calculation. Contact: Jason Wolfe
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee meets Wednesday at 1 p.m., via teleconference. The Committee will vote on three action items elect new Committee Officers, approve the 2020-2021 meeting schedule and review PMLC Charter. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Finance Committee
FMPA’s Finance Committee meets on Wednesday at 3 p.m. via teleconference. The Committee will discuss six information items. 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 the Board room. The Board will consider three action items. A teleconference option is available for those who prefer to dial in. 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 three action items. A teleconference option is available for those who prefer to dial in. The full agenda package is on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Monthly IT/OT Call Schedule Change
The Information Technology and Operations Technology (IT/OT) monthly member call has been rescheduled from Friday at 2 p.m. to Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. The calls were previously scheduled for the third Friday of each month, but FMPA team and members will now meet on the last Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. to discuss current cybersecurity trends and provide cybersecurity support for members. Members interested in attending can contact Konrad Lisiewicz.
Introduction to TVPPA Lineworker Safety and Training Program
FMPA has selected the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA) to provide a Lineworker Safety Program for Florida cities effective July 1, 2021, subject to final contract negotiation and approval. Members are encouraged to register for FMPA’s workshop on Oct. 28 to learn about TVPPA’s safety program as well as its other training programs. Representatives from TVPPA will be on hand to explain their programs and answer questions. TVPPA will begin providing Florida-based apprentice and advanced lineworker training classes in the first quarter of calendar year 2021 at Kissimmee Utility Authority. Contact: Sharon Samuels
COMING UP
FMEA Energy Connections Virtual Conference
Nov. 2 – 6 | Virtual
Safety by Design Webinar Series
Nov. 13 | FMPA’s Orlando Office
TOP INDUSTRY NEWS
Duke Values Hurricane Dorian Costs at $145 Million
PSC Rejects Moratorium on Utility Cutoffs
Florida Utilities Send Crews Louisiana to Help After Hurricane Delta
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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 Eda Kutsal. Check out FMPA’s Glossary, for frequently mentioned terms.