FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Jan. 3, 2012
LAST WEEK
FMPA Strategic Plan Update
FMPA staff are working on a Strategic Plan Action Item Update for FMPA’s Board of Directors and the ARP Executive Committee. FMPA’s Strategic Plan was approved by the Board and Executive Committee in March 2009, and a 45-point action plan was approved in July 2009. This report provides a status update on these 45 action items. An update last February showed that nearly half of the action items were fully complete and another quarter was being executed. The latest update will be presented at the Feb. 16 Executive Committee meeting. Contact: Mark McCain
THIS WEEK
Business Model Working Group
The All-Requirements Project’s Business Model Working Group meets Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Board room to continue its discussion on Moody’s downgrade of the All-Requirements Project’s credit rating and potential options that may improve the project’s credit rating. Contact: Nick Guarriello
All-Requirements Project December Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s peak for December was 757 MW, which occurred Dec. 6 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The project’s load factor for December was 75%. Load factor is a ratio of actual energy (MWh) used during the period versus what would have been consumed if demand was at peak for the entire period. A higher load factor indicates more effective system utilization and results in lower average costs. The month’s peak was 85% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 92% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for the month of December is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
COMING UP
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project rate workshop. The agenda includes: 1) an update on natural gas markets, FST and liquidity, 2) an overview of December loads, costs and rate calculations, and 3) estimated rates for January through March. Contact: Jim Atz
Compliance Training Workshop
FMPA will hold a two-day compliance workshop Jan. 10 from noon to 5 p.m. and Jan. 11 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Board room. The workshop is intended for subject-matter experts in planning, protection and facility ratings, as well as compliance staff. Contact: Frank Gaffney
ARP Quarterly Conservation Program Report
All-Requirements Project members are reminded to submit their quarterly report documenting conservation program efforts between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2011. Report data is used to calculate the reimbursement amount for each member and the estimated energy savings of the Conservation Program. Reports are due by Jan 15. The Quarterly Report Form is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee meets Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The meeting previously had been scheduled for Jan. 25 and was changed to coincide with the Executive Committee meeting on Jan. 19. Contact: Mark McCain
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
FMPA’s Audit and Risk Oversight Committee meets Jan. 19 at 8 a.m. in the Board room. Contact: Rich Popp
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors meets Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. in the Board room. Contact: Nick Guarriello
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee meets Jan. 19 in the Board room at 9:30 a.m. or immediately following the Board of Directors meeting. Contact: Nick Guarriello
Excellence as a Supervisor
Several spots remain for the Excellence as a Supervisor training Jan. 31 through Feb. 2 in FMPA’s Board room. The program offered by Electric Cities of Georgia includes a total of six, two-day training modules. The remaining modules will be held throughout 2012. Contact: Mike Siefert
INDUSTRY NEWS
Gov. Scott Still Working on Energy Issues, Not Deferring to Putnam
Gov. Rick Scott says he won’t have an energy bill to offer the Legislature in 2012, and he also says he isn’t deferring to Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on energy issues, according to The Florida Current. The Legislature in 2011 rejected a bill that would allow utilities to charge customers more for renewable energy projects after Scott raised conces about the cost to customers. The Legislature also approved the transfer of the state Energy Office from the goveor to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. That transfer led some energy advocates and House and Senate leaders to say they’re looking to Putnam to provide leadership on the issue in the coming session. Putnam told reporters on Dec. 15 that he plans to present legislators with a bill that would remove barriers to renewable energy while promoting energy diversity. Putnam said his proposal will focus on three areas: 1) removing regulatory barriers that prevent the expansion of renewable energy opportunities, 2) reviving business tax credits and incentives that expired, and 3) requiring the Public Service Commission to consider fuel diversity when making decisions about new power sources. When Gov. Scott was asked whether he is deferring to Putnam on energy legislation, he said, no and that he is still working on a policy for the state that will not raise the cost of living.
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 Ryan Dumas in FMPA’s Public Relations Department.
Want more background on the names and terms used in this newsletter? Check out FMPA’s 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: Ryan Dumas