FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Jan. 14, 2019
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LAST WEEK
Stock Island Generating Facility
Jacob Williams had lunch with staff at the Stock Island Generating Facility in Key West last Wednesday to celebrate the plant’s operating performance in fiscal 2018. Similar events were previously held at Cane Island Power Park and Treasure Coast Energy Center. Pictures from the event are posted on FMPA’s Facebook page.
APPA Legislative Rally
Representatives from Florida utilities who are planning to attend the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Legislative Rally are encouraged to make their travel plans and share the information with FMPA by responding to the email sent last Friday by Ryan Dumas. The rally is scheduled for Feb. 25-27. While in Washington, participants will meet with Florida’s Congressional delegation to discuss federal legislative issues related to electric utilities. Registration is available on APPA’s website. Contact: Mark McCain
Member City Visits
Susan Schumann traveled to Lakeland last Tuesday to meet with environmental and legislative staff from Lakeland Electric. She also visited Winter Park on Thursday to discuss current and future solar projects.
IT/Cyber Mutual Aid
Luis Cruz met with members of the information technology (IT) and cybersecurity staffs from Alachua last Monday and Ocala last Thursday to discuss cyber mutual aid and corporate information technology. They also discussed ways that FMPA can help support the cities’ IT departments.
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THIS WEEK
ICS Security Conference
Carter Manucy travels to Miami on Monday for the S4X19 conference. The conference focuses on Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security. Software and hardware strategies will be discussed along with new technologies to enhance cybersecurity.
Member City Visit
Mike McCleary and Cairo Vanegas travel to Starke on Tuesday to help plan a transformer replacement project.
Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership
Jacob Williams and Susan Schumann travel to Ocala on Wednesday where Jacob will give a presentation to the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership. Jacob will discuss the economic impact of Ocala Electric Utility and how FMPA provides low-cost, reliable and clean power to the city. The event will be held at the Marion County Extension Auditorium.
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
FMPA’s Policy Makers Liaisons Committee meets Wednesday at FMPA’s Orlando office. The start time for the business meeting is 1 p.m. Lunch will be served noon. The committee will hear a report from FMPA’s General Manager as well as five information items: 1) an update on Lafayette (LA) Utilities System acquisition, 2) a state legislative update, 3) a federal legislative update, 4) air quality and climate discussion, and 5) a round table discussion by policy makers on the most important electric issue in their communities. The agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Audit and Risk Oversight Committee
The Audit and Risk Oversight Committee meets Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Board room. The committee will consider: 1) risk inventory update, and 2) annual audited financial report for fiscal 2018. The committee will hear four information items: 1) generation performance report, 2) update on finance committee structure, 3) annual insurance report, and 4) risk management policy reviews. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Liyuan Woerner
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors meets Thursday in the Board room at 9 a.m. or immediately following AROC. The Board will consider: 1) annual audited financial report for fiscal 2018, and 2) moving the Dec. 19 Board of Directors meeting to Dec. 12. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee meets Thursday in the Board room at 9:30 a.m. or immediately following the Board of Directors. The committee will consider: 1) annual audited financial report for fiscal 2018, and 2) FEMA/FDEM grant agreement for hurricane damage at Stock Island. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
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 Jan. 13. Contact: Jim Arntz
Special Dates
Happy anniversary to Carl Turner, who celebrates five years with FMPA on Sunday, Jan. 20.
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COMING UP
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FMPA’s offices will be closed Jan. 21 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
Wood Poles Bid
FMPA is finalizing an Invitation to Bid for wood poles. Several large utilities have expressed interest in participating in the bid, so pricing is likely to be competitive. There is still time for interested members to participate. To be a listed participant, email Sharon Samuels. The bid will include FEMA-required language and a price-fluctuation mechanism allowing participants to take advantage of market-price reductions during the life of the agreement.
Advanced Lineworker Program
The first module of the Advanced Lineworker Program will be Jan. 23-24 in Kissimmee. The program is offered through the FMPA-EGC Alliance. The program lasts one year and includes four, two-day modules. It is designed for Lead or Journeyman linemen with a minimum of four years of experience. The cost for the year is $1,500. Registration is available by emailing ECG. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Future of Power Webinar
Jacob Williams will present a webinar entitled “The Future of Power” on Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. hosted by the Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA). Jacob will talk about emerging issues in the electric utility industry and what they mean for Florida’s cities and counties. The webinar is free for FCCMA members and their staff. Information on how to access it is available on FCCMA’s website. Contact: Susan Schumann
Florida Lineman Competition
Registration is open for the Florida Municipal Electric Association’s Florida Lineman Competition scheduled for March 1-2 in Gainesville. Teams and apprentices from across the Southeast will test their skills and knowledge in the craft of line work. FMPA is a sponsor of the event and will provide a prize to help pay for the winners to attend a national competition.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Fracking Ban Bill Filed in Florida House
A bill that would ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, was filed last Thursday in the Florida House of Representatives. A similar proposal was filed last month in the state Senate. Environmental groups and some lawmakers have been pushing the measure saying the practice threatens water supplies and can cause environmental damage. Bills were filed in both the House and Senate last year but never reached a vote on the floor of either chamber. The Florida legislative session begins March 5.
Fort Meade Hires Judd as City Manager
Fort Meade finalized a contract with Danielle Judd to replace Fred Hilliard as city manager. Judd’s first day is expected to be Feb. 4. She had been the city manager of Green Cove Springs before resigning last October. Judd was one of more than 80 candidates who applied for the job. Fort Meade commissioners citied her experience with a municipal electric utility as one of the reasons for selecting her.
Vero Beach’s O’Connor to Retire
Vero Beach City Manager Jim O’Connor announced last Tuesday that he will retire in March. O’Connor came to Vero Beach in 2011 from Winchester, Virginia, where he was the city manager. His previous experience includes time as city manager of Bartow. He served on FMPA’s Board of Directors on and off during his time with both Bartow and Vero Beach.
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FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA for employees and governing boards of FMPA member utilities. Questions or comments about this newsletter may be directed to Jeff Grainger or Carolyn Dingley 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 learn more.
Have a question, comment or story idea for the newsletter? FMPA welcomes your feedback at any time. Contact: Jeff Grainger or Carolyn Dingley
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Florida Municipal Power Agency
8553 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819-9002
Tel 407 355-7767
Fax 407 355-5794
www.fmpa.com
Community Power. Statewide Strength. ®
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