News Releases

FMPA Launches Greener Communities, Greener World Initiative
Agency emphasizes finding environmentally responsible solutions

Orlando, Fla., March 17, 2008 – The Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) announced today a new strategic initiative to renew and reinvigorate the Agency’s commitment to finding solutions for environmental challenges, including global climate change. The new initiative is known as “Greener Communities. Greener World.”

“‘Greener Communities. Greener World.’ is symbolic of our renewed commitment to move forward with environmentally responsible efforts,” said FMPA’s General Manager and CEO Roger Fontes. “Like the mantra, ‘think globally and act locally,’ it reminds us that each of us can make a difference.”

FMPA is a wholesale power agency owned by municipal electric utilities in Florida. FMPA provides all the wholesale power needs of 15 cities, including Bushnell, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Green Cove Springs, Town of Havana, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Lake Worth, Leesburg, Newberry, Ocala, Starke and Vero Beach.

Greener Power
Being a good steward of the environment has long been part of FMPA’s core values, but today’s environmental challenges require fresh solutions. To meet the dual challenge of providing reliable, affordable electricity while achieving our state’s environmental goals, FMPA is developing a balanced mix of power resources that includes both proven, reliable technologies, like generators fueled by clean-burning natural gas, as well as innovative renewable energy technologies.

Renewable Technologies
FMPA members currently receive power from two renewable power sources: a cogeneration plant fueled by a sugar byproduct and a plant supplemented by landfill gas. FMPA is actively seeking to increase the role that renewable resources play in the power mix. For example, FMPA issued a request in December seeking solar photovoltaic equipment or a contract to purchase power generated with solar technology. FMPA also issued a request in July seeking demand-side management services that result in permanent reductions of electric energy usage through improvements in efficiency or shifting electricity demand to off-peak periods.

Clean Existing Fleet of Generation
Clean-burning natural gas is the largest component of FMPA’s existing fleet of generation. Natural gas, the cleanest fossil fuel, reduces overall emission levels and helps the environment remain clean and healthy. Coal-fired generation only accounts for 20% of FMPA’s total portfolio, whereas nearly 50% of the United States’ electricity is generated from coal.

Modernizing Our Fleet of Generation
Like cars, some power plants use fuel more efficiently than others. And like cars, modernizing a fleet of power generating resources increases fuel efficiency. FMPA began an effort in 2003 to modernize its generation fleet. One example is FMPA’s Treasure Coast Energy Center, a 300 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant currently under construction. When this plant begins operating in late spring 2008, it will generate power 40% more efficiently than the generation it will replace. This means the plant will use less fuel, create fewer emissions per kilowatt hour and generate more power than generation it replaces.

Greener Work Environment
FMPA began implementing a broad range of green practices in day-to-day operations more than eight years ago with the construction of its energy efficient headquarters building. FMPA’s building employs cost-effective, energy efficient options, such as high efficiency air conditioning, heavily insulated roof and walls, super-efficient windows and sunshade devices to reduce glare and minimize heat gain while still reflecting light into the building.

When FMPA’s office was built in 2000, it was ahead of its time in meeting standards for efficiency, and as technology has advanced, so has FMPA’s commitment. A planned energy audit of FMPA’s facility is expected to identify new opportunities to conserve energy and reduce operating cost.

FMPA’s staff is also changing habits. A new, expanded office-wide recycling program announced today makes it easier for staff to recycle many items, including paper, cardboard, cans, plastic and glass. The program also encourages reducing waste. Disposable cups at the Agency’s office were replaced with ceramic coffee mugs and biodegradable plastic cups. Kitchen items, including utensils, plates and bowls, were changed to fully compostable and biodegradable styles.

“FMPA and its member cities are proud to do our part to conserve energy and protect the environment,” Fontes said. “Together, we can create greener communities and a greener world.”

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Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power company owned by 30 municipal electric utilities. FMPA provides economies of scale in power generation and related services to support community-owned electric utilities. The members of FMPA serve approximately 2 million Floridians. FMPA’s members include Alachua, Bartow, Blountstown, Bushnell, Chattahoochee, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Gainesville, Green Cove Springs, Havana, Homestead, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Lake Worth, Lakeland, Leesburg, Moore Haven, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach, Newberry, Ocala, Orlando, Quincy, St. Cloud, Starke, Vero Beach, Wauchula and Williston. Additional information is available on the Internet at www.fmpa.com.

Media Contact:
Mark McCain
Assistant General Manager,
Public Relations and Human Resources
(407) 355-7767