FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Nov. 2, 2015
LAST WEEK
Closing CR3 Settlement
Duke Energy Florida and several municipal electric utilities successfully closed last Friday on a settlement agreement related to Crystal River Unit 3 (CR3). FMPA represented the municipal joint owners of CR3 and wholesale power purchasers from Duke. At closing, Duke wired payments to the joint owners and wholesale purchasers. The cash portion of the settlement, alone, provided $55 million to the eight joint owners and $8.4 million to the wholesale purchasers. In addition, there are other significant benefits that are part of the settlement, including that all of the municipal joint owners’ obligations will be transferred back to Duke for the duration of the plant’s decommissioning, which could take more than 50 years. Contact: Jody Finklea or Dan O’Hagan
Joint Action Solar PV Project
Since many municipal electric utilities are looking at options to incorporate solar into their generation resource mix, FMPA is developing a joint action solar photovoltaic (PV) project. Economies of scale help reduce costs in power generation, and that’s true in solar PV projects, too. FMPA confirmed that when it began investigating a utility-scale solar project for its All-Requirements Project participant cities. To see if other municipals might be interested in growing the project size and decreasing the project cost per unit, FMPA is reaching out to other municipals about joining the effort. By working together, cities could opt for just the amount of solar they want—whether that’s large or small—while benefitting from the economies of a utility-scale project. FMPA is aiming for an initial, non-binding expression of interest by Dec. 1. Contact: Michele Jackson
Cane Island Power Park
Cane Island Unit 1 came back online last Wednesday after completing a scheduled maintenance outage. Contact: David Schumann
ARP Conservation Program Quarterly Report
The All-Requirements Project’s (ARP) Conservation Program published its fourth quarter report for fiscal 2015. The report indicates that between July 1 and Sept. 30: 1) ARP participants spent $63,126 on energy-saving measures for their customers, and 2) the energy saving measures have the potential to save customers more than 1.5 million kWh per year and more than 17,000 MWh over the life of the measures taken. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
All-Requirements Project October Load Statistics
The All-Requirements Project’s non-Contract Rate of Delivery peak for October was 1,025 MW, which occurred Oct. 1 between3 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 105% of the budgeted peak, and energy was 104% of the budget. A graph showing the All-Requirements Project hourly load for October is available on the Member Portal. Contact: Jim Atz
THIS WEEK
APPA Legislative Rally
https://aws.passkey.com/event/14136316/owner/544/landing>
Fiscal 2015 Audit
FMPA’s exteal auditors, Purvis Gray & Company, begin the fiscal 2015 audit on Monday. The auditors plan to be onsite at FMPA’s offices for two weeks to three weeks. Contact: Rick Minch
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. 1. Contact: Jim Atz
Special Dates
Congratulations to Ellen Leatherman, who celebrates eight years with FMPA on Thursday, Nov. 5.
COMING UP
Energy Auditors Roundtable
FMPA will host an Energy Auditors Roundtable on Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Publix Dairy Facility in Lakeland. This semi-annual roundtable provides a forum for participants to discuss topics such as work procedures, policies and practices, industry changes, equipment and materials, and other topics of interest. The roundtable is open to any utility staff member who has an interest in energy audit related topics. http://fmpa.com/event/fmpa-energy-auditors-roundtable/>
Purchasing Roundtable
FMPA will host a Purchasing Roundtable on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable provides a forum for purchasing personnel to discuss work procedures, policies, industry changes, equipment and other topics of interest. http://fmpa.com/event/fmpa-purchasing-roundtable/>
Management Development Program
FMPA will host a new Management Development Program beginning Jan. 12, 2016, at FMPA’s Orlando office. The program will be led by Jacque Booker, the same instructor who leads the popular Excellence as a Supervisor series. This new program is designed for new managers, mid-level managers and departments in need of succession planning. The classes could be a great next step for those who completed the Excellence as a Supervisor course. The Management Development Program includes a total of six, two-day 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 first module of series one is scheduled for Jan. 12 and Jan. 13 and will discuss: 1) developing self-awareness, 2) managing personal stress, and 3) oral and written presentations. Module two is scheduled for Feb. 16 and Feb. 17 and will discuss: 1) solving problems analytically and creatively, and 2) building relationships through supportive communication. Module three is scheduled for March 15 and March 16 and will discuss: 1) gaining power and influence, and 2) motivating others. The cost is $1,100 per series. http://fmpa.com/event/management-development-program-series-i/>
INDUSTRY NEWS
Duke Energy to Acquire Piedmont Natural Gas
Duke Energy said last Monday that it plans to buy Piedmont Natural Gas for $4.9 billion in cash. The companies are key partners in the $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Under the terms of the agreement, Piedmont will retain its name and operate as a business unit of Duke Energy. Duke hopes to close on the transaction by the end of 2016. The deal still needs approval from Piedmont shareholders and the North Carolina Utilities Commission. The companies also must provide information about the acquisition to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina and the Tennessee Regulatory Authority.
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 Nathalia Romano 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 Nathalia Romano
Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
http://www.fmpa.com>www.fmpa.com
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