FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
March 25, 2019
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LAST WEEK
TECO Power Purchase Agreement
FMPA finalized a power purchase agreement with Tampa Electric Co. (TECO) to sell a peak-strip energy schedule of 120 MW per day for six months beginning May 1. The agreement is an opportunity for the Agency to optimize its generation resources as part of FMPA’s strategic plan to lower electric costs and to keep rates affordable for its customer-owners. Contact: Chris Gowder
Finance Committee Orientation
FMPA’s new Finance Committee held its orientation meeting last Wednesday. Karen Nelson of Beaches Energy Services was appointed as chairperson. The committee heard several information items, including: 1) committee charter, 2) policy review, 3) committee responsibilities and expectations, 4) primary FMPA contacts, and 5) calendar for 2019. The committee will meet again in upcoming weeks to review FMPA’s budget and other financial matters. Contact: Linda Howard
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Thursday and heard information items, including: 1) proposed summary of strategic priorities and revisions to FMPA’s vision, mission and values, 2) introduction to SERC, 3) quarterly human resources update, 4) Florida Municipal Solar Project update, 5) appointment of Finance Committee members, 6) member services for retail rate design and solar subscriptions, and 7) request for proposals for external auditors. The full agenda package is available 0n the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
ARP Executive Committee
The Executive Committee met last Thursday and approved the following items: 1) Florida Gas Utility directive for Main Street prepaid gas transaction, and 2) proposed revision of load attraction incentive rate for metering requirements. The full agenda package is available on the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Wood Poles Bid
Bids were received from two vendors last Thursday in response to a solicitation for wood poles. The bids are currently under evaluation. Contact: Sharon Samuels
RFP for External Financial Auditor
FMPA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) last Friday to select an External Financial Auditor. All proposals are due by April 29 and will be evaluated in May with plans for an audit firm recommendation to the FMPA Board of Directors on June 20. Contact: Danyel Sullivan-Marrero
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THIS WEEK
Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee
The Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (CREAC) meets Monday via conference call to consider approval of the ARP Conservation Program funding level for fiscal 2020. Contact: Chris Gowder
Stock Island Visit
Tim Jackson, Rich Popp and David Schumann travel to Stock Island on Tuesday to meet with FM Global Insurance Company for the annual engineering inspection of the generation facility. During the visit, they will also attend an Operating Committee meeting.
FCG Meetings
Susan Schumann travels to Tallahassee on Monday and Tuesday to attend meetings of the Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group’s (FCG) Legislative Task Force and Environmental Committee.
Member City Visits
Cairo Vanegas travels to New Smyrna Beach on Tuesday to meet with management staff to deliver the reliability performance analysis results. Mark McCain and Mike McCleary travel to Fort Meade on Wednesday for a Peer Review scope and planning meeting. Also on Wednesday, Navid Nowakhtar attends Winter Park’s Utility Advisory Board meeting.
Florida Solar Energy Center
Susan Schumann travels to Cocoa on Friday to attend a meeting of the Florida Solar Energy Center’s Advisory Board. Susan serves on the Board as a representative for FMPA.
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 March 24. Contact: Steve Ruppel
Special Dates
Happy anniversary to Andrei Benjamin, who celebrates six years with FMPA on Wednesday, March 27.
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COMING UP
Substation Awareness Basics
FMPA will host a Substation Awareness Basics training class April 9-10 at Campbell Kelly Community Center in Quincy. This is the first time the Substation Series Training has been held in the panhandle. The two-day session will provide participants with in-depth instruction on substation-related topics and will be tailored to the specific equipment of the attendees’ utilities, where possible. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Advanced Lineworker Program
The second module of the Advanced Lineworker Program is scheduled for April 10-11 at Kissimmee Utility Authority. The training is offered through the FMPA-ECG Alliance. The program takes one year to complete 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
Distribution Reliability Roundtable
Registration is now open for FMPA’s Distribution Reliability Roundtable on June 5 at 10 a.m. in FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable is an opportunity to review details of FMPA’s Distribution Reliability Measurement Program as well as discuss reporting procedures and best practices among participating utilities. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided. A webcast will be available for those not able to attend in person. Contact: Cairo Vanegas
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INDUSTRY NEWS
KUA Headquarters Renamed in Honor of Jim Welsh
Kissimmee Utility Authority’s (KUA) Board of Directors voted unanimously at its March meeting to rename the utility’s administration building in honor of President and General Manager Jim Welsh for his 36 years of service to KUA. Welsh has demonstrated “exemplary service, strong leadership, and unwavering commitment to the utility and greater community,” as stated in a retirement proclamation. Jim Welsh retires March 31. KUA’s Board has named Brian Horton as the utility’s new president and general manager/CEO effective April 1.
Cost of Florida Electric Deregulation Proposal Debated
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is taking exception with the conclusion of a panel of state economists and other experts who finalized a financial impact statement on a proposed constitutional amendment that would deregulate the electric industry in Florida. The state’s Financial Impact Estimating Conference (FIEC) did not determine the impact deregulation would have on Florida’s communities and on the state. The panel’s conclusion is that the effects of the amendment on the price Floridians pay for electricity under deregulation are unknown. The panel also said it was not known how deregulation would impact taxes and fees collected by state and local governments on electric generation. “The Florida Chamber of Commerce disagrees with the FIEC’s conclusions, particularly in light of the empirical evidence presented by expert economists showing the likelihood of significant increased costs,” said Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson. Wilson points to studies done by various groups that show the amendment would have a damaging impact on state and local government. The panel insisted that because of the unknown’s associated with deregulation, it would be up to the Legislature and the courts to decide. Attorney General Ashley Moody has already intervened in the case. She challenged the language saying it is unclear or deceptive.
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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
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