News Releases

All-Requirements Members Complete Long-Term Power Supply Plan
Plan addresses ways to meet state energy goals

ORLANDO, Fla., July 21, 2008 – Members of the Florida Municipal Power Agency’s (FMPA) All-Requirements Project approved a long-term power supply plan Friday designed to supply reliable, cost-effective electricity while increasing the use of renewable energy, increasing energy conversation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This plan, known as the 2008 Integrated Resource Plan, is the end result of a year-long study into the future electricity needs of municipal electric utilities. This plan balances a diverse mix of power generating resources, including proven, reliable technologies like power plants fueled by clean-burning natural gas, as well as innovative renewable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic, biomass and conservation programs.

“Being a good steward of the environment has long been part of the core values of municipal electric utilities,” said FMPA CEO and General Manager Roger Fontes. “This plan addresses our fundamental goal of providing reliable, affordable electricity while conserving our natural resources.”

FMPA’s All-Requirements Project provides all the wholesale power needs of 15 Florida 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. Like much of Florida, FMPA’s member communities are growing, and they must proactively plan to meet their customers’ future power needs.

Addressing State Goals
Addressing Florida’s environmental goals had a significant impact on the planning process. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist signed three executive orders in July 2007 that call for Florida to move toward greater use of renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. For utilities, the orders contained two main provisions: 1) setting a series of greenhouse gas reduction goals with the first goal to reach 2000 levels by 2017, and 2) initiating a rulemaking that would require utilities to produce at least 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources.

The Florida Legislature also passed a comprehensive energy bill in May 2008 that is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support renewable resources, protect natural resources and stimulate the economy. Municipal electric utilities are required to develop standards to promote, encourage and expand the use of renewable energy resources and energy conservation and efficiency.

“We are committed to responsibly reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet state goals,” said Fontes. “We are proud that our plan will meet the governor’s first goal. Based on our projections, we will reach the required reductions in CO2 emissions to 2000 levels by year the 2017.”

Major Conclusions
The study’s major conclusions are:

  • Balance Growth and Greenhouse Gas Reduction: All-Requirements Project participants’ total power needs are projected to increase by 38 percent within the next 20 years. Addressing this growth and reducing greenhouse gas emissions will require innovative solutions. The Integrated Resource Plan combines renewable resources, energy efficiency programs and conventional resources to meet customers’ power needs. The plan recommends increasing the use of renewable resources, including participation in a 58 megawatt power purchase from a biomass facility and a 10 megawatt power purchase from a solar photovoltaic facility.
    •
  • Encourage and Promote Conservation: All-Requirements Project participants approved a $1 million program to reduce electricity use by promoting energy efficiency and conservation to customers. The program will provide a menu of conservation efforts from which each city can select based on its individual needs. Some of the options are expected to include energy efficiency rebate programs and energy efficiency product give aways. Energy efficiency programs are expected to reduce FMPA’s energy requirements four percent by 2018. Additionally, a separate demand response program could reduce electric demand by 44 megawatts in 2012.


  • Participation in Future Nuclear Resources: The Integrated Resource Plan recommends participation in nuclear resources to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and diversify fuel sources. Joint ownership of nuclear resources will increase needed baseload capacity to meet customer growth.


    # # #

    Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power company owned by 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.

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