FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
Feb. 25, 2019
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LAST WEEK
FMPA’s 41st Anniversary
Sunday was FMPA’s 41st anniversary. The Agency held its first official meeting Feb. 24, 1978. Like most joint action agencies across the country, FMPA was formed following the oil embargo in the 1970s, which forced utilities to diversify generation away from oil-fired units to other fuels, like nuclear at coal at that time. To learn more about FMPA’s history, read the “Sum of Our Efforts” history booklet or watch videos of FMPA’s early leaders talking about the formation of FMPA. Follow FMPA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to see how the Agency continues to work with its members to provide low-cost, reliable and clean power. Contact: Mark McCain
PURC Conference
Jacob Williams, Ann Beckwith, Jody Finklea and Susan Schumann attended the Public Utility Research Center’s (PURC) annual conference in Gainesville where Jacob participated on a panel with utility executives discussing business model challenges and opportunities. Jacob also introduced the Florida Municipal Solar Project to an audience of industry professionals and regulators, including PSC staff and Commissioners, and shared thoughts on innovation from the perspective of municipal electric utilities.
Cyber Mutual Assistance Committee
Congratulations to Carter Manucy, who was elected chair of the Cyber Mutual Assistance Coordinator Committee. Cyber Mutual Assistance is a program of the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council to provide emergency cyber assistance in the electric power and natural gas industries.
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THIS WEEK
APPA Legislative Rally
Representatives from FMPA, the Florida Municipal Electric Association and 17 municipal electric utilities are in Washington, D.C., on Monday through Wednesday attending the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Legislative Rally. While in the nation’s capital, participants will meet with Senate and House members or their staff to discuss federal legislative issues related to electric utilities, including FEMA and storm reimbursement, pole attachments, advanced refunding and environmental regulations. A copy of the Federal Legislative Issues Summary is available on the Portal. Contact: Mark McCain
Florida Groundman School
FMPA will hold a Florida Groundman School in Kissimmee on Monday through Friday. The five-day course is designed to provide the skills necessary to be an Apprentice Lineworker. It includes instruction on basic electricity, rigging, ropes and knots, pole setting, meter-base safety and a rope-throw competition. Contact: Sharon Samuels
FCG Legislative Task Force and Environmental Committee
Susan Schumann travels to Tallahassee on Tuesday for the FCG Legislative Task Force and Environmental Committee meetings. This is a statewide coalition of utility professionals who work together on federal and state environmental regulatory initiatives.
Stanton A and Oleander Plants
Tim Jackson and David Schumann travel to Cocoa on Wednesday to meet with Stanton Unit A and Oleander Unit 5 plant staff. They will be introduced to NextEra’s business management team, followed by a tour of the Oleander plant.
Member City Visits
Navid Nowakhtar and Dan O’Hagan attend Winter Park’s Utility Advisory Board meeting on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, Carl Turner, Ian Beason, Chris Schaeffer and other FMPA staff travel to the Treasure Coast Energy Center to review General Electric power plant drawings. On Thursday, Cairo Vanegas travels to New Smyrna Beach to begin work with a consultant to help develop a vision for business strategy and grid modernization plans.
Behind the Switch Campaign
This is the last week of FMPA’s “Behind the Switch” social media campaign that gives people a look at what it takes to provide low-cost, reliable and clean power. Two new videos will be posted this week to conclude the month-long campaign that ends Thursday. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter. Contact: Ryan Dumas
Florida Lineman Competition
The Florida Municipal Electric Association’s Florida Lineman Competition is Friday and Saturday 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 the top prize to help pay for the winners to attend a national competition. Mike McCleary will represent FMPA at the awards banquet.
Lake-Sumter State College Relay Tech Job Fair
Cairo Vanegas will attend a job fair for relay technicians at Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet students enrolled in the relay technician program and share career opportunities at Florida’s municipal electric utilities. If any FMPA member cities are recruiting for relay technicians or are interested in participating in the job fair, contact Cairo.
All-Requirements Project Weekly Load Statistics
The weekly update of the All-Requirements Project historical load graph will be posted later this week to the Portal. The graph will be updated through Feb. 24. Contact: Jim Arntz
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COMING UP
Advanced Lineworker Program
The second module of the Advanced Lineworker Program is April 10-11 in Kissimmee. The training is offered through the FMPA-ECG 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. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Lineman’s Roundtable
FMPA will host a Lineman’s Roundtable on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kissimmee Utility Authority. The roundtable provides a forum for line crews to exchange ideas on operating practices, safety, training, tools, equipment and other common issues. The roundtable is open to all levels of utility line crew personnel, as well as any utility staff member who has an interest in transmission and distribution topics. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Lunch will be provided. Contact: Sharon Samuels
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INDUSTRY NEWS
FERC Denies Request to Intervene in Dispute Between JEA and MEAG
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) denied a petition by JEA asking FERC to intervene in a dispute with Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) over JEA’s contract to buy power from Plant Vogtle’s two nuclear reactors under construction. JEA was trying to cancel the agreement with MEAG due to the project’s cost overruns. MEAG has a 22.7% ownership interest in Vogtle Units 3 and 4. Under the power purchase agreement, MEAG would sell 41.2% of the output, which is approximately 206 MW of capacity, to JEA. FERC ruled that none of JEA’s arguments overcome the fact that the Commission does not have jurisdiction over a wholesale power contract between two public power, non-jurisdictional entities.
PSC Staff Recommends Approval of TECO Rate Increase
Staff of the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) are recommending approval of Tampa Electric Co.’s (TECO) request to increase customers’ bills beginning in April due to higher natural gas costs. The PSC is scheduled to discuss the issue March 5. If approved, TECO residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month would pay $103.58, an increase of $4.05.
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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 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: 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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