FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Nov. 5, 2012
LAST WEEK
Hurricane Sandy Power Restoration
Storm restoration workers from nine of Florida’s municipal electric utilities traveled to the Northeast last week to help states affected by Hurricane Sandy. Crews from JEA and Gainesville Regional Utilities are helping Baltimore Gas & Electric. Crews from Orlando Utilities Commission are helping First Energy in New Jersey. Crews from Homestead Energy Services, Keys Energy Services and Lakeland Electric are helping the Long Island Power Authority. Crews from Clewiston, Kissimmee Utility Authority and Leesburg are helping Pennsylvania Power & Light. The 124 workers joined utility workers from other public power utilities, investor-owned utilities and electric cooperatives across the United States who responded to assist in restoring electricity.
ARP Conservation Program Quarterly Report
The All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) Conservation Program published its fourth quarter report for fiscal 2012. The report indicates that between July 1 and Sept. 30: 1) ARP participants spent $38,786 on energy saving measures for their customers, 2) the energy saving measures have the potential to save customers more than 2.8 million kWh per year and 23,603 MWh over the life of the measures, and 3) including measures funded by the ARP Conservation Program, as well as utility budgets, grants and other sources, the fiscal 2012 potential energy savings is 3.4 million kWh per year and 31,037 MWh over the life of the measures. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
All-Requirements Project October Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s peak for October was 1,093 MW, which occurred Oct. 4 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The project’s load factor for October was 62%. 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 104% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 103% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for the month of October will be available on the Member Portal soon. Contact: Jim Atz
THIS WEEK
webTRANS and webOASIS Training
FMPA staff supporting transmission service provider functions will participate in webTRANS and webOASIS operator training on Monday through Thursday. webTRANS and webOASIS are software systems used for selling and approving transmission service. Contact: Chris Gowder
Peer Review
FMPA’s Peer Review Steering Committee meets Wednesday with a member city to present a draft peer review report of the member’s finance and utilities departments. Contact: Mark McCain or Sharon Smeenk
Meter Technician Certification Program
A Steering Committee consisting of representatives from FMPA’s member cities meets Thursday at 10 a.m. via conference call to discuss the creation of a meter technician certification program. Contact: Mark McCain
ARP Telephonic Rate Workshop
The ARP Executive Committee meets Thursday at 2 p.m. via conference call for the monthly All-Requirements Project rate workshop. Contact: Jim Atz
Electric Utility Tax Seminar
Jody Finklea and Amanda Swindle present an Electric Utility Tax Seminar on Thursday in Ocala as part of the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s Utility Tax Institute. Discussion topics will include: 1) proper collections of sales and use tax, 2) sales tax customer exemptions, 3) municipal sales tax exemptions, 4) update on new gross receipts tax regulations, 5) communications services tax update, 6) municipal public service tax update, and 7) audit and challenge procedures.
Energy Auditors Roundtable
All-Requirements Project Weekly Load Statistics
The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph has been posted on the Member Portal. The graph is updated through Nov. 4. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Ellen Clark, who celebrates five years with FMPA on Monday, Nov. 5.
Congratulations to David Schumann, who celebrates 10 years with FMPA on Sunday, Nov. 11.
COMING UP
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee meets Nov. 14 in the Board room at 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided at noon. Contact: Mark McCain
ARP Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee meets Nov. 15 in the Board room at 9 a.m. Contact: Nick Guarriello
INDUSTRY NEWS
Decision to Repair Crystal River Unit 3 Delayed
Progress Energy Florida told the Florida Public Service Commission last Tuesday that the utility may not make a decision about whether to repair or shut down Crystal River Unit 3 until summer 2013. The nuclear unit has been offline since late 2009 when a project to replace major components inside the unit’s containment structure led to separating concrete on the structure. Progress’ attoey John Buett said utility teams are still reviewing a consultant’s report that concluded the company’s repair plan is feasible but poses unresolved technical issues. Failing to begin repairs by Dec. 31, 2012, would trigger a $100 million customer refund under a settlement with consumer advocates. Buett said, “It is very unlikely that construction would begin in December. Progress officials say fixing the plant would take several years with repairs costing $1.5 billion to $3.5 billion.
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
Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
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