Utilities return to competitiveness as All-Requirements Project celebrates 26 years

ORLANDO, Fla., May 1, 2012 – Municipal electric utilities reflect on their history of power supply independence and celebrate a return to competitiveness, as Florida Municipal Power Agency’s All-Requirements Project observes its 26^th anniversary today.

The All-Requirements Project serves all the wholesale power needs of 14 Florida cities, including Bushnell, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Green Cove Springs, Havana, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Lake Worth, Leesburg, Newberry, Ocala and Starke. Since beginning operation on May 1, 1986, the Project has enabled municipal electric utilities of all sizes to become owners—not just customers—of a diverse, statewide power system.

“An anniversary is a fitting time to both honor the legacy of our founders and to build our own legacy by creating a stronger more competitive utility for tomorrow,” said FMPA General Manager and CEO Nicholas P. Guarriello.

In the All-Requirements Project’s first 26 years, its members’ achievements included:

• Wholesale Competition: All-Requirements created real competition in the wholesale power market and gave utilities of all sizes the opportunity to own diverse power generation and have a voice in their future.
• Transmission Access: FMPA members fought to gain fair and open access to the interstate transmission network, winning a precedent-setting case for transmission service comparable to what transmission owners use themselves.
• Economies of Scale: The All-Requirements Project created a diverse, efficient network of power resources that supports the personal touch of a local utility with the strength of a statewide organization.

All-Requirements project members are well-positioned for the future. Their return to competitivenessin 2011 included:

• 20% Rate Reduction: Customers in All-Requirements Project cities are enjoying lower retail rates thanks to a 20% reduction in FMPA’s wholesale rate from 2009 to 2011.
• Efficient Generation: FMPA has upgraded its generation fleet to use nearly 9% less fuel to produce each unit of electricity than it did five years ago, saving money for customers and reducing environmental impact.
• Energy Conservation: Customers are saving more than 4,410 megawatt-hours a year thanks to programs funded by FMPA’s members in 2011.
• Solar Power: All-Requirements members increased their solar generating capacity by nearly 30% in 2011.
• Long-Term Commitments: Two of the All-Requirements Project’s larger member utilities renewed their commitments to the project in 2011.

“As All-Requirements enters its 27^th year, these accomplishments give us confidence that we are moving in the right direction and creating a bright future for the communities we serve,” said Guarriello.

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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 two million Floridians.