FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Aug. 21, 2017
LAST WEEK
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Summer Availability Factor
FMPA’s base-load generating units recorded an availability factor of 99% for July, following 99% for June and 100% for May. The summer average was 99.7%, which is 6.7% higher than last summer’s average of 93%. Maintaining optimum unit availability ensures FMPA can provide adequate power at the lowest possible cost. FMPA is on track to meet its goal of an 85% availability factor for fiscal 2017. Contact: David Schumann
3 Phase Times
FMPA’s Power Resources Division published the July 2017 edition of 3 Phase Times last week. 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 natural gas represented 82% of ARP’s total energy sources in July. ARP sold 9% of its generation to the Florida Municipal Power Pool (FMPP). Pool sales helped offset ARP costs by 40 cents per MWh. The FMPP Average Monthly Gas Dispatch Price in July was $3.33 per MMBtu, which was 11 cents lower than the four-month energy forecast. The equivalent availability factor of FMPA’s base-load units in July was 99%, which is higher than the annual projection. For more information, download 3 Phase Times from the Portal. Contact: Frank Gaffney
THIS WEEK
Bartow Meeting
Frank Gaffney will meet on Monday with staff from Bartow and its consultants to discuss the power purchase agreement awarded to FMPA in June. The contract will be presented Thursday to the Executive Committee.
Introductory Visits
Mike McCleary travels to Newberry on Monday to continue his introductory meetings with FMPA’s member cities. He visited Leesburg, Starke and Wauchula last week. Mike sent an email on Aug. 7 to FMPA members explaining his goal of setting up meetings to gain firsthand knowledge of each utility. Members who have not scheduled meetings with Mike are encouraged to do so.
Member City Visit
Jacob Williams and Frank Gaffney travel to Starke on Tuesday for a member city visit.
Compliance Workshop
The Compliance Department hosts a two-day Compliance Workshop on Tuesday and Wednesday at FMPA’s Orlando office. Discussion topics include: 1) cyber security updates, 2) upcoming standards, 3) a critical infrastructure protection roundtable and more. Contact: Chris Gowder
FRCC Board Meeting
Frank Gaffney travels to Tampa on Wednesday for the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council’s Board of Directors meeting and retreat.
Member Services Work Group
A Member Services Work Group meets Wednesday via conference call to continue developing a salary survey for member utilities. Contact: Sharon Smeenk
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee (AROC) meets Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Board room of FMPA’s Orlando office. The committee will consider four action items: 1) revisions to the power supply and resource planning risk management policy, 2) revisions to the origination risk management policy, 3) revisions to the contract risk management policy, and 4) annual review and assessment of the AROC Charter. This month marks the 15 anniversary of AROC’s creation. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Rich Popp
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors meets Thursday in the Board room of FMPA’s Orlando office at 9:30 a.m., or immediately following the Audit and Risk Oversight Committee meeting. The Board will consider five action items: 1) resolution 2017-B2 amendment to fiscal 2017 budget for the Stanton Project, 2) resolution 2017-B3 amendment to fiscal 2017 budget for the Stanton II Project, 3) resolution 2017-B4 amendment to fiscal 2017 budget for the Tri-City Project, 4) resolution 2017-B5 amendment to fiscal 2017 budget for the St. Lucie Project, and 5) evaluations of the General Manager and CEO as well as the General Counsel. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee meets Thursday in the Board room of FMPA’s Orlando office at 10 a.m., or immediately following the Board of Directors meeting. The committee will consider five action items: 1) City of Bartow power purchase agreement, 2) economic development rate for high energy-intensive new business, 3) revision to the power supply and resource planning risk management policy, 4) revision to the origination risk management policy, and 5) revision to the contract risk management policy. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Lineworker Appreciation Day
Florida’s electric lineworkers will be honored Saturday as utilities across the state celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day. The Florida House of Representatives in 2012 passed a resolution designating Aug. 26 as Lineworker Appreciation Day to honor the thousands of men and women who risk their lives ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of electricity throughout the state. The date was chosen in honor of Marc Moore, a lineman for Lakeland Electric, who died in an electrical accident on Aug. 26, 2002.
All-Requirements Project Weekly Load Statistics
The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph has been posted on the Portal. The graph is updated through Aug. 20. Contact: Jim Atz
COMING UP
Excellence as a Supervisor
There’s still time to https://fmpa.com/event/excellence-as-a-supervisor-series-ii-5/>
APPA Business & Financial Conference
Registration is open for the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Business & Financial Conference, which will be held Sept. 17-20 in Nashville, Tennessee. The annual conference is for utility professionals in accounting and finance, customer accounting and services, human resources and training, information technology and pricing and market analysis. http://www.publicpower.org/Events/Landing.cfm?ItemNumber=30529&navItemNumber=38293>
Meter Tech Roundtable
FMPA will hold a Meter Tech Roundtable on Sept. 20 in Jacksonville. The roundtable is a forum to discuss topics such as policies, procedures, equipment, technology, safety, training, apprentice programs and more. It is open to anyone who has an interest in metering or meter-related topics. There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided. https://fmpa.com/event/meter-tech-roundtable/>
INDUSTRY NEWS
Regulators Discuss FPL’s Nuclear Cost Recovery
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) held two days of hearings last week about Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) request to “pause planning efforts for two new nuclear reactors at its Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station near Homestead. In a filing at the PSC, FPL said pausing the project would keep customers from paying for licensing efforts in the next year, and the suspension would temporarily eliminate the need for annual PSC regulatory hearings on the project. The utility wants approval to be able to recoup costs in the future for licensing activities and other project development expenses. The proposal has drawn opposition from the state Office of Public Counsel, business groups and environmental groups. Opponents say they do not think the reactors will ever be built, so they object to cost recovery from current customers. A decision is expected Oct. 17.
Finalists Recommended for PSC Seats
The Nominating Committee for the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) met last week and forwarded two lists of finalists to Gov. Rick Scott for his consideration to fill three seats on the commission. The short-list of nominees for two of the seats include the incumbents, Ronald Brise and Art Graham, who are seeking their third terms on the commission. The second list of six nominees is for the seat vacated by Jimmy Patronis. Bill Conrad of Newberry made both short lists.
PSC Approves Duke’s Recovery Request for Crystal River Unit 3
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) last Tuesday approved Duke Energy Florida’s request to recover $49.6 million from customers for its non-operational Crystal River Unit 3 nuclear power plant in Citrus County. The costs are a result of an extended power uprate project, which would have increased the maximum output of the plant. Duke residential customers who use 1,000 kWh of electricity a month are expected to see additional charges of $1.52 on their bills, which is four cents less than last year’s bill. The charge will take effect January 2018. The PSC will also consider Duke’s recovery request for the Levy Energy Complex at a hearing on Oct 25. The results from the hearing, as well as other potential fuel-related costs, could lead to another increase in customers’ bills in 2018.
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 Jeff Grainger or Holly Cammisa 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.
Have a question, comment or story idea for the newsletter? FMPA welcomes your feedback at any time. Contact: Jeff Grainger or Holly Cammisa
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Tel 407 355-7767
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