FMPA Weekly | March 16, 2026 | Member Edition


March 16, 2026

TOP NEWS

February All-Requirements Project Rates
The average billed demand and energy cost for FMPA’s All-Requirements Project in February was $101/MWh, approximately 10% above budget. The all-in rate, which included $33M in cash support from line of credit and General Reserve for rate smoothing, was $19/MWh lower than prior month forecast. High-margin external sales also provided a positive offset during the month, while emergency energy purchases came in approximately $700K lower than estimated in the February rates. Forward rate projections have decreased month-over-month with the drop in curve. Participant energy sales were 2.4% above budget with early-month weather impacts. The Rate Protection Account balance was fully depleted at the end of February with the drop in curve. The agenda package is available via the Portal.  Contact: Denise Fuentes

Florida Lineman Competition
Lineworkers from Florida’s public power utilities and electric cooperatives competed in the 25th Annual Florida Lineman Competition on Saturday in Tallahassee. FMEA and the City of Tallahassee cohosted the event, and FMPA was a sponsor of the event and provided the top prize to help pay for the winners to attend a national competition. Competitors included a total of 156 lineworkers – 72 apprentices and 84 journeymen, specifically – from 11 of the 13 registered utilities, making up 26 teams for 58 judges from across the state to score. Congratulations to Lance Rivenbark, Jordan Reddick, and Jason Smith from the City of Tallahassee, who won the Overall Journeyman Team Winners Cup. Dalton Gowdy, also from the City of Tallahassee, won the Overall Apprentice Award. Thank you to all who participated in this celebration of public power.

Whistling Duck Solar Ribbon-Cutting
FMPA and Origis Energy will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at 10 a.m. to celebrate the Whistling Duck Solar Facility, which is near Williston. Refer to emails from Mary Kathryn Patterson for more information.

Fleet Generation Leadership Meeting
The fleet generation leadership meeting is Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Cane Island Power Park.

Board of Directors Meeting
The Board of Directors will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. The agenda package is available via the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams

Executive Committee Meeting
The Executive Committee will meet Thursday immediately after the Board of Directors meeting. The agenda package is available via the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams

Member Salary Survey
Members received emails about the annual Member Salary Survey last Monday. Twenty five Members completed the survey last year, and we are hoping to have a similar participation level this year. Deadline to respond to the survey is Friday. Contact: Alissa Novoa

SPECIAL DATES

Anniversaries

Dave Good (Assistant Plant Manager – SLEC) | March 16 | 39 years

Karen Culpepper (Office Manager and Paralegal) | March 17 | 23 years

Melody Read (Accountant III) | March 18 | 2 years

COMING UP

FMEA Municipal Utility Administrative Professionals Roundtable
March 25 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Kissimmee Utility Authority

FMEA Utility Finance Roundtable
March 26 | 2 p.m. | FMPA

APPA Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo
March 27-28 | 2 p.m. | Huntsville, Alabama

APPA Engineering & Operations Conference
March 29-April 1 | Huntsville, Alabama

APPA Safety Summit
March 29-April 1 | Huntsville, Alabama

Lineman Apprenticeship Lab 1: Fundamentals
April 6-April 10 | Kissimmee Utility Authority

Lineman Roundtable
April 8 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | FMPA

APPA CEO & Utility Managers Roundtable
April 12-14 | Rancho Palos Verdes, California

ARP Rate Workshop
April 14 | 10 a.m. | FMPA

Finance Committee Meeting
April 15 | 2 p.m. | FMPA

Member Services Advisory Committee Meeting
April 15 | 11 a.m. | FMPA

Policy Makers Liaisons Committee Meeting
April 15 | 12:30 p.m. | FMPA

Board of Directors Meeting
April 16 | 9 a.m. | FMPA

Executive Committee Meeting
April 16 | 9:15 a.m. | FMPA

APPA Accounting & Finance Virtual Summit
April 21-22 | Virtual Event

APPA Key Accounts Certificate Program
April 21-24 | Arlington, Virginia

FMEA Human Resources Roundtable
April 21 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | FMPA

TOP INDUSTRY NEWS

U.S. natural gas production reached a new record in 2025

Florida bill banning local governments from using net-zero policies for GHG emissions passes Senate

Fossil generation could rise with faster-than-expected growth in data center power demand

U.S. to release 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

DOE announces $1.9 billion investment in grid infrastructure updates

U.S. eases Russia oil sanctions

Energy secretary says Americans could feel relief on gas prices ‘in a few more weeks’

EIA report: The cost of transporting coal to the U.S. electric power sector fell again in 2024
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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 Emily Maag. Check out FMPA’s Glossary, for frequently mentioned terms.