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March 22, 2021 |
TOP NEWS
Positive Return During Polar Vortex Keeps ARP Rates Low
FMPA’s All-Requirements Project had a net benefit of $2 million during Winter Storm Uri, while other utilities in Florida had negative outcomes, including potential rate increases. The snow and ice storm in late February brought extreme temperatures across Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and the Midwest. The cold weather resulted in high electricity demand that strained the supply of electricity and natural gas. As a result, prices for power and fuel in these regions reached record levels. During this time, FMPA worked with its members and partners including plant staff, Florida Gas Utility, the Florida Municipal Power Pool and The Energy Authority to ensure Florida’s municipal utilities could deliver affordable electricity to customers. This favorable outcome was due to having designated reserve margins, operating in a regulated power market, purchasing power from the pool and selling natural gas to offset FMPA’s costs. The efforts during this weather event are just one example of how FMPA is working to keep its average power cost below $70 per megawatt hour, one of the Agency’s three strategic priorities.
Claston Sunanon Service Anniversary
Congratulations to FMPA’s longest serving Board member, Claston Sunanon. Claston has been Orlando Utilities Commission’s (OUC) representative on the FMPA Board of Directors for 15 years. In addition to his contributions as a Board representative, Claston served seven years on the FMPA Finance Committee. He is a strong advocate for diversity of resources and helps keep power costs low for members through participation in the Florida Municipal Power Pool. He also was pivotal in solar negotiations to develop the Florida Municipal Solar Project and to provide value through joint project development. Thank you to Claston for all of your contributions to public power.
Women Empowerment Wednesday
Last week, Linda Howard was featured on the Women Empowerment Wednesday (WEW) panel hosted by 3D Strategic Management, Inc. Linda shared FMPA’s mission, tips on success, and why being a woman in business is important. Members can listen to the panel on YouTube.
Finance Committee
FMPA’s Finance Committee met last Wednesday and reviewed three information items. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Linda Howard
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Thursday and approved one action item. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee met last Thursday and approved three action items. The full agenda package is on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
AMI Project Support
Newberry entered into an agreement with Sensus to provide Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for the city. The project is now entering the installation phase. FMPA has supported Newberry working with its AMI consultant, Quanta Technology, and will continue to provide assistance to Newberry in the project’s next phase. Contact: Mike McCleary
Mapping Support
Cairo Vanegas travels to Wauchula on Monday to begin a project to update their distribution system map. Interested members can contact Cairo Vanegas for more information.
APPA Engineering and Operations Conference
Mike McCleary will present Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. at APPA’s Engineering and Operations Conference on the topic of “Evolving Your Safety Training”. The conference is designed for utility professionals in the areas of communications and control, environmental, generation and fuels, safety, transmission and distribution, system planning and supply management. Mike will discuss how the experts recommend lineworkers refocus priorities to adjust training and work processes to promote a culture of safety at every level.
Planned Outage Story
Cane Island Unit 1 which began its planned outage March 8 returned to service March 20. Cane Island Unit 4 which began its planned outage March 10 returned to service five days early, on March 19. Contact: David Schumann
MSAC Meeting
FMPA’s Member Services Advisory Committee meets April 7 at 11 a.m. via Teams. Contact: Mark McCain
ARP Demand Management Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets April 14 at 10 a.m. for a Demand Management Workshop at FMPA’s Orlando Office. Participants can also join via Teams. Contact: Ken Rutter
Purchasing Roundtable
The FMPA Purchasing Roundtable is scheduled for May 13 at 10 a.m. at the Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for purchasing personnel to meet with their peers from other member utilities to discuss work procedures, policies and practices, industry changes and other topics of interest. A teleconference option is available. Registration is free. Contact: Sharon Samuels
SPECIAL DATES
Anniversaries
Andrei Benjamin | March 27 | 8 years
COMING UP
Finance Committee
April 14 | 3 p.m. | FMPA Orlando Office
AMI Roundtable
April 28 | 9 a.m. | Teleconference
TOP INDUSTRY NEWS
Critics Label Southeast Energy Exchange Market ‘A Stumbling Block’ to True Reform
FPL Bills Boost from Fuel Costs
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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 Amy Raleigh. Check out FMPA’s Glossary, for frequently mentioned terms.