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April 6, 2020 |
TOP NEWS
COVID-19 Update
FMPA is working with its members to evaluate opportunities for retail rate reductions during the Coronavirus situation. Mount Dora will reduce its Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) approximately 10% for April through September. Beaches Energy Services will waive its PCA for at least April, a savings of approximately 20%. JEA’s Board of Directors approved a fuel credit last Friday to customers of approximately $27 million that will be issued in May. Approximately a dozen other municipal utilities are considering short-term reductions in the PCA. Not all cities will be able to offer this due to various financial situations. FMPA’s team is available to help members complete a financial analysis of alternatives.
ARP Energy Sales
ARP energy sales are on track for the year to date as energy sales for March were 9.5% above budget due to weather. Sales through March 12 were equal to budget estimates, while unseasonably hot weather later in the month increased loads 12%-15% per day. These trends are likely to evolve in the coming weeks. Mild weather at the beginning of April is expected to reduce energy consumption before temperatures warm back up. FMPA is monitoring the situation for potential load impacts.
Emergency Final Order
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an Emergency Final Order on April 1 extending certain environmental regulatory deadlines for 30 days in response to COVID-19. The order went into effect immediately and expires on May 8, unless modified or extended. Deadlines listed in the order receiving the 30-day extension include responding to and cleanup of discharges of mineral oil dielectric fluid (MODEF). Contact: Cairo Vanegas
“Essential Services” Employee Identification
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ issued an executive order effective last Friday mandating that Floridians stay home and limit movement outside the house through April 30. If FMPA members have any concerns about providing employees with appropriate documentation designated them as necessary employees for an essential service, FMPA can help. FMPA’s Legal Department has created a generic letter that can be customized for a city and its employees. In addition, FMPA has the ability to make identification badges, if a city cannot make badges on their own. Making the ID card would require a city to provide employee photos along with name, title and potentially other information. For assistance with badges, contact Susan Schumann.
Resource Management Agreement
FMPA signed a Resource Management Agreement with The Energy Authority (TEA) last week. TEA provides public power utilities with access to advanced resources and technology systems that help utilities stay competitive in energy markets. The agreement is effective for an initial three-year term and will help FMPA in optimizing the All-Requirement Projects mid-term capacity and energy. Contact: Chris Gowder
Regulatory Requirements
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) on March 18 announced discretions on compliance for regulatory requirements. These guidelines are in response to COVID-19 impacts and can be found here. As a result, SERC released a new reporting process for non-compliance issues. Contact: Truong Le
CREAC Meeting
FMPA’s Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (CREAC) meets Monday at 1:30 p.m. via teleconference. The committee will consider the All-Requirement Project’s Conservation Program and budget options for fiscal 2021 and discuss an information item on electric vehicle charging stations. Contact: Navid Nowakhtar
Florida Public Power Communicators Virtual Roundtable
FMEA hosts a Florida Public Power Communicators Virtual Roundtable on Wednesday to discuss Florida municipal utilities’ responses to COVID-19 relating to communications and key messaging, and share resources.
ECG Safety and Training Participants
Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) Safety and Training participants meet via teleconference Thursday at 10:30 a.m. The participants will discuss the status of ECG Training Services, potential next steps, anticipated budgeting for fiscal year 2021, and the impacts of COVID-19 to the current meeting schedule. Contact: Mike McCleary
Reliable Public Power Provider
The American Public Power Association is accepting nominations for the Small Systems Representative position on the Reliable Public Power Provider Review Panel (RP3). The RP3 program is based on industry-recognized leading practices in the four disciplines of reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement. Nominations are open until April 24.
SPECIAL DATES
Anniversaries
Gloria Reyes | April 6 | 5 Years
COMING UP
ARP Rate Workshop
April 14 | 2 p.m. | Teleconference
Policy Makers Liaisons Committee
April 15 | 1 p.m. | Teleconference
Finance Committee
April 15 | 3 p.m. | Teleconference
FMPA Governing Board Meetings
April 16 | 9 a.m. | Teleconference
Mobile Substation Project Webinar
April 22 | 2 p.m. | Teleconference
TOP INDUSTRY NEWS
Governor Ron DeSantis Places Statewide Stay-At-Home Order
Duke Energy, FPL, and Gulf Power to Lower Customer Bills in May
EPA Issues Compliance Guidelines Due to COVID-19
JEA Offers Customers Lower Bills in May
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FMPA Weekly is published by FMPA’s Public Relations Department for staff and members. Questions about this newsletter may be directed to Melisa Inanc or Melanie Arsenault. Check out FMPA’s Glossary, for frequently mentioned terms.