FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
May 29, 2012
LAST WEEK
Key West Transmission Line Improvements
The Dynamic VAR (DVAR) Compensation System installed at Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) Stock Island substation came online last Monday. Phase one of the DVAR system was completed May 18 and included state-of-the-art equipment additions at KEYS’ Big Pine Key and Stock Island substations to monitor and control voltage. Phase two will include upgrades to Florida Keys Electric Cooperative’s (FKEC) Islamorada substation. Engineering will begin this summer, and construction is scheduled for completion by summer 2013. The DVAR system is jointly owned by FMPA, KEYS and FKEC. The improvements will increase the transmission import capacity from 234 MW to 320 MW along the 120-mile line that spans the length of the Florida Keys. Contact: Frank Gaffney
3 Phase Times
FMPA’s Power Resources Division published the April 2012 edition of 3 Phase Times last Tuesday. This monthly report provides information about the All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) system peak, hourly loads, resource fuel mix, natural gas usage, natural gas pricing and more performance information. The report shows that FMPA’s total natural gas usage for April was 3,489,448 MMBtus, 42% higher than projected. The increase was due to: 1) the increase in dispatching of gas-fired generation as a result of low gas prices, 2) a reduced level of dispatched coal-fired generation, and 3) the extended outage of St Lucie Unit 2. For more information, download 3 Phase Times from the registrationhttp://www.fmpa.com/index.php/component/registrationpro/?view=event&did=43>registration; is requested. Contact: Mike Siefert
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets June 7 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, FST and liquidity, 2) an overview of May operations, loads, costs and rate calculations, and 3) estimated rates for June through August. Contact: Jim Atz
2012 FMEA-FMPA Annual Conference
The 2012 FMEA-FMPA Annual Conference will be held July 24-27 at the Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. On July 24, the conference kicks off with two pre-conference seminars: 1) electricity 101, and 2) Unhappy constituents and high utility bills: A problem or a gift? The following days feature general sessions and breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including energy legislation, comparing energy resources and the public power business model. Visit http://publicpower.com/fmea-fmpa-annual-conference/” target=_blank>FMEA’s website for conference and registration information.
Dog Bite Prevention Training
FMPA will host Dog Bite Prevention training Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. in the Board room. The training, presented in conjunction with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Central Florida, will help utility personnel recognize and respond to situations with dangerous or potentially dangerous animals. The cost is $75 and includes lunch. http://www.fmpa.com/index.php/component/registrationpro/?view=event&did=44>Registration; is required. Contact: Mike Siefert
INDUSTRY NEWS
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Resigns
Gregory Jaczko, who has been chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) since 2009, announced last Monday that he will resign from the NRC as soon as a new chairman is confirmed. President Obama said last Friday that he will nominate Allison Macfarlane, an expert on nuclear waste, to lead the Commission. The Washington Post described Jaczko’s three-year tenure at the NRC as a turbulent one that included allegations of bullying in the work place. Questions have been raised about his leadership for months, and four NRC commissioners testified before Congress last December that they doubted his ability to lead the agency.
PSC Proposes to Amend Customer Deposit Rules
In an effort to reduce the cost of utility service, Florida’s Public Service Commission last Tuesday proposed to amend its customer deposit rules to lower interest rates, an expense paid by all customers. Minimum annual interest rates on customer deposits will be reduced from 6% to 2% per year for investor-owned electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities. Interest rates on nonresidential customer deposits held after 23 months of continuous service will be lowered from 7% to 3% per year. The utilities will have 45 days to implement the rule amendments after its effective date.
Southe Announces Executive Management Changes
Southe Company announced key management changes last Thursday as it prepares for the retirement of Chief Operating Officer Anthony Topazi this summer. Mark Crosswhite will become executive vice president and chief operating officer for Southe. He will be responsible for Southe’s operations, which includes generation, transmission, engineering and construction services, system planning, research and environmental affairs, Southe Power and Southe Wholesale Energy. Stanley Connally, Jr. will replace Crosswhite as president and CEO of Gulf Power. John Pemberton will succeed Connally as senior vice president and senior production officer of generation at Georgia Power. Pemberton will have responsibility for the company’s fossil and hydro generation. Leigh Davis Perry will replace Pemberton as senior vice president and general counsel for Southe Company operations and Southe Nuclear. The changes will be effective July 1.
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 Jane Stewart 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 Jane Stewart
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Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
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