FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Nov. 7, 2011
LAST WEEK
Key West Transmission Line Improvements
Contractors began work last week on phase one of the Dynamic VAR Compensation System. This system will help increase the capacity of the 120-mile transmission line that spans the length of the Florida Keys. It will be jointly owned by FMPA, Keys Energy Services and Florida Keys Electric Cooperative. The first phase of the project will improve the import capacity of the transmission line. Electric devices will be installed at the Big Pine Key Substation and the Stock Island Plant Substation to improve both the quality and capacity of the electricity serving customers. The second phase of the project is scheduled to begin June 2012 and will include the installation of a series capacitor and a special protection system at Islamorada. The estimated cost of the project is $12 million. Contact: Frank Gaffney
Stanton Project Participants Meeting
Tim Jackson, Rich Popp, David Schumann and Susan Schumann attended the Stanton Project participants’ quarterly meeting last Thursday at the Stanton Energy Center. Participants discussed operational parameters for 2012 and plans for future outages.
THIS WEEK
APPA Customer Connections Conference
Ryan Dumas is attending the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Customer Connections Conference this week in Savannah, Ga. Public power utility personnel working in customer service, energy services, key accounts, marketing and public communications will discuss topics that include crisis communication, building and maintaining strong media relationships, current and upcoming EPA regulations and impacts on key account customers, low cost ways to deliver smart grid benefits and fresh ways to get your message out.
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The APR Executive Committee meets Wednesday at 2 p.m. via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project rate workshop. The agenda includes: 1) an update on natural gas markets and liquidity, 2) an overview of October loads, costs and rate calculations, and 3) estimated rates for November through January. The full agenda package is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
Lineman’s Roundtable
FMPA’s semi-annual Lineman’s Roundtable is Wednesday at Ocala Utility Services’ Operations Center. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the roundtable, which provides line crews a forum to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and other common issues. Contact: Sharon Samuels
All-Requirements Project October Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s peak for October was 991 MW, which occurred Oct. 11 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. The project’s load factor for October was 63%. 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 94% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 92% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project monthly load for October is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Date
Congratulations to David Schumann, who celebrates nine years with FMPA on Friday, Nov. 11.
COMING UP
APPA Smart Grid, Safety and NERC Compliance Symposium
The American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Smart Grid Summit is Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 at the Orlando Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. Featured speakers will include cyber security expert Annabelle Lee and Smart Grid Interoperability Panel representative Stephen Muchlinski. The two will discuss the status of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations, interoperability standards and other proposed cyber security regulations. In conjunction with the Smart Grid Summit, APPA will hold a National Electrical Safety Code Training on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 and a NERC Compliance Plan Development Workshop on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17. Information on all three events is available on registrationhttp://www.fmpa.com/index.php/component/registrationpro/?view=event&did=38>registration; is requested. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Excellence as a Supervisor
FMPA will host the first module of the Excellence as a Supervisor training Jan. 31, 2012, through Feb. 2, 2012, in the Board room. The program offered by Electric Cities of Georgia includes a total of six, two-day training modules. The modules are divided into two series with three modules in each series. Participants can register for Series I, Series II or both. The remaining modules will be held throughout 2012. More information is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Mike Siefert
INDUSTRY NEWS
PSC Sets 2012 Cost Recovery Amounts for Investor-Owned Electric Utilities
Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) set 2012 recovery charges last Wednesday for Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL), Tampa Electric Co. (TECO) and Gulf Power Co. Cost recovery is allowed on fuel and purchased power, capacity, conservation and environmental requirements. Starting in January 2012, FPL customer using 1,000 kWh per month will pay $99.04, an increase of $2.50. TECO customers using 1,000 kWh per month will pay $106.90 a reduction of 12 cents. Gulf Power customers using 1,000 kWh per month will pay $125.79, a reduction of $1.37. Recovery charges for Florida Public Utilities Company and Progress Energy will be decided at a Commission meeting on Nov. 22.
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 or Ashley Henderscheid This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 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 or Ashley Henderscheid
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