FMPA Weekly
A weekly e-newsletter for FMPA members
May 20, 2019
____________________________________________________
LAST WEEK
Poinsett Solar Facility
The Poinsett Solar Facility can move forward now that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruled last Thursday in favor of FMPA regarding a transmission service request. FMPA filed a complaint Jan. 30, 2019, at FERC stating that Duke Energy Florida improperly denied the Poinsett Solar Facility transmission service requests. The service request was made on behalf of FMPA’s All-Requirements Project, Bartow, Wauchula and Winter Park. Duke insisted on an executed interconnection agreement prior to accepting and studying the transmission service requests. FMPA claimed that requirement was contrary to FERC rules and precedents. In last week’s decision, FERC sided with FMPA and directed Duke to reinstate FMPA’s service request effective Sept. 5, 2018, consistent with FMPA’s original request. Contact: Dan O’Hagan
Board of Directors
FMPA’s Board of Directors met last Thursday and approved strategic priorities and revision to FMPA’s vision, mission and values, and 2) appointment of a nominating committee (see related story below). The full agenda package is available 0n the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Nominating Committee
The Board of Directors appointed three members to the Nominating Committee last Thursday to recommend a slate of officers for 2019-2020. The Board appointed Howard McKinnon from the Town of Havana, Charles Revell from Mount Dora and John Tompeck from Fort Pierce. In accordance with the Agency’s By-Laws, the Nominating Committee is composed of three directors: one representing small utilities, one representing medium-sized utilities and one representing large utilities based on electric sales. Contact: Jacob Williams
Executive Committee
The ARP Executive Committee met last Thursday and approved two action items: 1) revisions to the rate rider availability sections, and 2) Green Cove Springs supplemental power and ancillary services agreement. The Executive Committee decided to move an agenda item on ARP net metering policy revisions from an information item to an action item. The policy revisions were approved as presented. The full agenda package is available 0n the Portal. Contact: Jacob Williams
Drone Inspection Services
Competitively bid drone inspection services are available to FMPA members thanks to JEA, which has given permission for others to piggyback its request for quote (RFQ). The scope of the RFQ covers drone-based storm damage assessment for transmission systems and circuit inspections. The RFQ does not meet all FEMA-reimbursement requirements. The awarded bidder is Preform Line Products. The RFQ is available for review on FMPA’s Portal. Contact: Sharon Samuels
Congratulations, Brandon
Congratulations to Brandon McCormick, who earned the System Operator Certification from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. The certification exam tests knowledge of job skills and reliability standards. Also, it prepares operators to handle the bulk power system during normal and emergency operations. Earning this credential will aid Brandon in working with FMPA members on compliance issues.
____________________________________________________
THIS WEEK
Website User Feedback Survey
FMPA plans to redesign its website FMPA.com and would appreciate feedback from site users. Please click https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2DTN9BC to access the survey. Responses will help enhance the user experience. The survey will be closed May 29. Contact: Mark McCain
Communicators Roundtable
Several FMPA staff are attending the Florida Public Power Communicators Roundtable on Monday at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center. Communicators from municipal utilities will discuss topics on common issues, including: 1) social media best practices and resources, 2) communications and customer relations during storm events, 3) ADA requirements for websites, 4) employee engagement events, 5) the electric deregulation ballot initiative and more.
Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Forum
The Florida Municipal Electric Association and FMPA co-host a hurricane and emergency preparedness forum Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando. The forum will provide a recap of the 2018 hurricane season, best practices, mutual aid operations and the FEMA public assistance process.
Member City Visits
Jacob Williams and Mike McCleary travel to Starke on Tuesday where Jacob will make a presentation to the City Council. Chris Gowder and Susan Schumann visit Green Cove Springs on Tuesday. Mike travels to Bushnell on Wednesday for a City Council workshop. Susan visits Lakeland on Thursday. On Friday, Mike and Navid Nowakhtar visit Ocala for discussions on solar subscription.
Solar Phase II Bidder Interview
The top three bidders for the Solar Phase II project are visiting FMPA’s Orlando office this week. FMPA plans to select the top bidder by June 21. A workshop to discuss the project with interested participants will be scheduled in early June. Contact: Susan Schumann
7F Power Users Group Conference
David Schumann, Tim Jackson, Jay Butters and Ed Leongomez attend the 2019 7F Power Users Group Annual Conference this week in Schaumburg, Illinois. The conference provides a forum for owners and operators of 7F generating units to share best practices for maximizing operating performance and reliability. This generation technology is used in three major All-Requirements Project generating units, including Cane Island Units 3 and 4 and Treasure Coast Unit 1.
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 May 19. Contact: Denise Fuentes
____________________________________________________
COMING UP
Memorial Day
FMPA’s offices will be closed next Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.
Finance Committee
FMPA’s Finance Committee meets May 29 at 9:30 a.m. to review the proposed fiscal 2020 budgets for the Agency and power supply projects. Contact: Linda Howard
Distribution Reliability Roundtable
FMPA will host a Distribution Reliability Roundtable on June 5 at 10 a.m. at FMPA’s Orlando office. The roundtable is an opportunity to review details of FMPA’s Distribution Reliability Measurement Program and discuss best practices for enhancing electric system reliability. Registration is free, and lunch is provided. A webcast will be available for those not able to attend in person. Contact: Cairo Vanegas
Cybersecurity Summit in Orlando
Save the date to attend the Southeast Regional Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Summit on July 10-11 in Orlando. The summit is sponsored by the American Public Power Association, and FMPA is participating on the event planning committee. With programs designed for utility leadership as well as cybersecurity professionals, the summit will provide information on tools, technologies and resources to establish a successful cybersecurity program for utilities of any size. More information about the agenda, venue and registration will be available soon. Contact: Carter Manucy
Natural Gas Hedging Workshop
FMPA will host a Natural Gas Hedging Workshop on June 19 at FMPA’s Orlando office. The intent of the discussion is to provide background information about a potential means for individual All-Requirements Project members to fix natural gas pricing for a defined volume of generation that serves their energy load. The agenda items include: 1) background information, and 2) options for mitigating price volatility to ensure budget alignment. Contact: Ken Rutter
____________________________________________________
INDUSTRY NEWS
PSC Approves FPL’s Proposal to Recover Costs for Hurricane Irma
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a plan last Tuesday by Florida Power & Light (FPL) to use federal tax savings to recover costs of restoring power after Hurricane Irma, despite criticism that the tax money should be used to lower customers’ base electric rates. FPL used money from its reserve to pay for Irma restoration costs and then sought to use tax savings to replenish the reserve. The utility argued that this approach prevented customers from having extra costs added to their monthly bills to pay for restoring power. The commission’s approved motion did not include a recommendation by its staff that FPL should be required to use tax savings to lower base rates after the storm costs are recouped. PSC staff had recommended a $772 million annual reduction in base electric rates after the hurricane costs were recouped.
PSC Approves Gulf Power’s Cost-Recovery Plan for Hurricane Michael Expenses
The Florida Public Service Commission approved a proposal last Tuesday from Gulf Power to recoup an estimated $342 million in storm-recovery costs for Hurricane Michael. The Pensacola-based utility will collect the money from customers over five years. A residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month will see an $8 increase in the monthly electric bill effective in July. Gulf and Florida Power & Light are both owned by NextEra Energy.
DeSantis Signs Tax Package That Includes Disaster-Preparedness Tax “Holiday”
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a tax package (HB 7123) last Wednesday that includes a disaster-preparedness tax holiday. With hurricane season starting June 1, DeSantis signed the bill while attending the annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference in West Palm Beach. The seven-day sales tax exemption starts May 31, a day before hurricane season begins. During the tax holiday, sales taxes will not be collected on items such as batteries, non-electric food storage coolers that cost $30 or less, self-powered lights that cost $20 or less, tarpaulins, self-powered radios, ground anchor systems, weather-band radios that cost $50 or less and portable generators that cost $750 or less. The tax holiday is projected to save shoppers $5.5 million in state and local taxes.
____________________________________________________
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 Melisa Inanc 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: Melisa Inanc or Kenasia Lealie
__________________________________________________________
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. ®
__________________________________________________________