FMPA’s Green Initiative Celebrates Two Years
Agency demonstrates commitment to efficient power, energy conservation and greener work environment.
ORLANDO, Fla., March 17, 2010 – The Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) celebrates today the second anniversary of the Agency’s green initiative “Greener Communities. Greener World.”
Two years ago today, FMPA announced a strategic initiative to renew and reinvigorate the Agency’s commitment to finding solutions for environmental challenges. Since that time, FMPA has made progress in developing a sustainable energy future, educating energy consumers in Florida and creating a greener work environment.
“I’m proud that FMPA and its members are making decisions that benefit the environment and save money during this difficult economic period,” said General Manager Nick Guariello. “We’ve been able to conserve natural resources while supporting our goal to provide reliable, affordable electricity.”
Greener Power
FMPA’s newest power plant, known as Treasure Coast Energy Center, completed its first year of operation on May 31, 2009, exceeding performance expectations and generating electricity nearly 40% more efficiently than the units it replaced. Higher efficiency means lower costs and fewer emissions per kilowatt-hour, and the savings are passed along to FMPA’s members. With Treasure Coast performing so well, FMPA began construction in 2009 on another state-of-the-art, high efficiency natural gas-fueled unit, that is scheduled to begin operation in 2011 at Cane Island Power Park.
Last year, FMPA also formed a partnership to invest in renewable technology with Keys Energy Services and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The group collaborated to install a 26 kilowatt (AC) solar photovoltaic system and an educational kiosk for consumers at the Keys Eco-Discovery Center. The facility will be dedicated on March 26.
Energy Conservation
A group of FMPA’s city-owned utilities created a $1 million fund last year to pay for programs that help customers conserve electricity. One product of this effort is a set of 15 short videos to educate consumers on ways to save energy and money. The fund was also used to provide customer rebates for energy efficient products, supply discounted or complimentary compact fluorescent light bulbs, and create other energy conservation programs.
Greener Workplace
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. One of the Agency’s biggest accomplishments last year was reducing water usage 56%. This effort saved 504,000 gallons in the second half of 2009. Some of the steps FMPA took to conserve water included installing automatic flush valves on toilets, installing automatic soap dispensers near sinks, installing automatic faucets and reducing landscape irrigation usage.
“FMPA is honored to partner with the communities we serve to do our part in conserving energy,” said Guarriello. “We believe individually we can make changes that, added together, will make a big difference.”
To learn more about the “Greener Communities. Greener World.” initiative, visit green.fmpa.com.
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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.