FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
June 15, 2009
LAST WEEK
Business Planning and Budget Committee
The Business Planning and Budget Committee met last Monday to finalize the 2010 fiscal year budgets. The budgets will be presented to FMPA’s Board of Directors and the ARP Executive Committee on July 17. Thank you to all who participated in this year’s budget development process. Contact: Mark Larson
Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee
The ARP Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee met last Tuesday by conference call. The Committee voted to approve: 1) a provider for the ARP Solar Photovoltaic Project, and 2) a solar photovoltaic system in Key West. The group also discussed and provided feedback on conservation program funding options and heard informational updates on topics including: 1) the Stimulus Work Group, 2) biomass projects, 3) PURPA, and 4) a potential demand-side management pilot program with Publix Supermarkets.
Economic Stimulus Workgroup
The Economic Stimulus Workgroup met last Friday to evaluate potential consultants for a smart grid project. R.W. Beck was selected as the top choice. FMPA staff will send a memo this week to explain the details of the project and to ask for participation commitments. The next workgroup meeting is Friday at 9 a.m. For more information on the Economic Stimulus Workgroup, visit the FMPA Member Portal or contact Michele Jackson.
Fitch Ratings
FMPA had its monthly conference call with Fitch Ratings on Wednesday to provide an update on Agency business. Fitch responded positively and was pleased with FMPA’s financial position. Representatives from Fitch plan to attend the FMPA Annual Conference, where they plan to meet with some of FMPA’s members. Contact: Mark Larson
Joint Purchase Project
Joint Purchase Project participants met last Thursday to hear a presentation by Cintas on fire-resistant clothing for utility workers. Participants are developing specifications for the clothing and will further discuss the specifications at the next meeting on Sept. 10. Contact: Sharon Samuels
CEMS Agreement
FMPA will be issuing a new bid for the Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) agreement. The bid will be awarded in mid-July. Contact: Sharon Samuels
FMPA.com Redesign
Progress continues on the redesign of FMPA’s Web site, FMPA.com. Mark McCain and Bree Balchunas took photos at Cane Island Power Park last Thursday for possible use on the Web site. Thank you to Amy Deese of FMPA and Jared Tillman of KUA for their participation in the photography session.
Member Services Survey
Thank you to all who completed FMPA’s Member Services Survey. The survey allowed members to rate current services and provide feedback for improvement. Contact: Mike Siefert or Sharon Samuels
THIS WEEK
NERC Standard Training
FMPA hosts training on the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s Standard FAC-008 on Monday via Webcast at 8 a.m. The training is part of FMPA’s mitigation plan. It will describe the standard’s requirements and how FMPA’s facility rating methodology meets them. The training is open to all FMPA staff. Contact: Frank Gaffney
Annual Conference Pre-Registration Deadline
Monday is the deadline to pre-register for the FMEA-FMPA Annual Conference. Don’t miss this annual event, which includes important Agency business meetings and informative sessions on the utility industry’s hottest topics.
Cane Island Unit 4
FMPA, Kissimmee Utility Authority and Zachry are holding a quarterly safety audit for Cane Island Unit 4 Tuesday through Thursday. Contact: Steve Carroll
Crisis Communication Training and Exercise
The Pubic Relations/Public Affairs Department hosts on Wednesday a training and tabletop exercise for its Issue Management and Crisis Communication Plan. The plan describes how FMPA would handle communication with the public and the media in the event of a crisis or a public relations issue. The plan is focused on the communication function, so it does not direct other types of crisis management or disaster recovery. The Communication Crisis Team involves staff from other departments, including Human Resources, Administrative Services and Facilities Management. Contact: Diane Nelson
Renewable Power Financing
FMPA will host a conference call with one of its investment bankers this week to discuss the best options for financing the solar photovoltaic project and the biomass power project. Contact: Janet Davis or Michele Jackson
All-Requirements Project Load
The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph has been posted on the Member Portal. The graph is updated through June 14. Contact: Jim Atz
Service Anniversary
Congratulations to Richard Montgomery, who celebrates two years with FMPA on Thursday, June 18.
COMING UP
SunTrust Payment System
FMPA will upgrade its SunTrust payment system, Online Treasury Manager, on June 22. Contact: Janet Davis
Employees “Right to Know Standard Workshop
Don’t forget to register for FMPA’s workshop on the Employees “Right to Know Standard. The workshop will be held July 15 in the Board room at 10 a.m. Participants will lea about the Hazard Communication Standard, also known as the Right to Know Standard, including how to properly label materials and training requirements for educating an organization’s employees. For more information and to register, visit FMPA’s” rel=”nofollow”>http://www.fmpa.com/html/member_services/pdf/Mineral_Oil_Dielectric_Fluid_Workshop.pdf>FMPA’s Web site. Contact: Mike Siefert
INDUSTRY NEWS
Zachry Selected to Build JEA Greenland Energy Center
Zachry Industrial Incorporated was awarded the engineering, procurement and construction contract for JEA’s Greenland Energy Center. The $48 million contract is for two simple-cycle dual-fueled combustion turbines. The scope of the work includes preparing the two 175 MW units for possible conversion in the future to combined-cycle operation. The project will be completed by the Zachry team associated with Treasure Coast Energy Center and Cane Island Unit 4.
Energy Efficiency Resource Central
The APPA Energy Efficiency Resource Central column for May has been posted on the Energy” rel=”nofollow”>http://www.appanet.org/files/Word/EERCcolumnforMay2009.doc>Energy Efficiency Resource Central. APPA has made energy efficiency one of its top priorities and has developed many new resources in this area. To get the word out, FMPA and the Florida Municipal Electric Association have partnered with APPA to share information about these resources.
FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA for employees and goveing boards of FMPA member utilities. Questions or comments about this newsletter may be directed to Diane Nelson or Beth Pangbo in FMPA’s Public Relations Department.
Want more background on the names and terms used in this newsletter? Check out FMPA’s new Glossary, which features some of the most frequently mentioned committees, companies, places and terms, or contact the person named in each FMPA story to lea more. (Click here for the Staff Directory).
Have a question, comment or story idea for the newsletter? FMPA welcomes your feedback at any time. Contact Diane Nelson.