Discussion
of Issues
Issue 1:
Should the Commission approve the proposed
arrangement between TECO and MacDill, as shown in Attachment A, effective July
10, 2018?
Recommendation:
Yes. The Commission should approve the proposed
arrangement between TECO and MacDill, as shown in Attachment A, effective July
10, 2018 (Doherty, Draper)
Staff Analysis:
The proposed arrangement between TECO and MacDill
provides for the application for totalized metering, which is the summation of
adjacent metering equipment readings serving the same property. Totalized
metering is permissible under TECO’s current tariff; however, TECO’s tariff
does not address MacDill’s unique circumstances. Therefore, TECO filed the
instant petition for an arrangement. The proposed arrangement does not contain
a special rate for MacDill; MacDill will continue to pay TECO’s tariffed
charges.
Overview of MacDill
MacDill is located south of Tampa at the end of the Interbay
peninsula in Hillsborough County and receives electric service from TECO at the
MacDill substation (shown on the map in Attachment B to this recommendation as
MacDill – 23 D). MacDill is a federal enclave and owns and operates its
distribution system behind the meter at the MacDill substation. TECO does not
own any distribution system on the base and provides service to MacDill at
primary voltage pursuant to rate schedule, General Service – Demand
Time-of-Day.
The MacDill operations center operates continuously;
therefore, reliability is a major concern. TECO explained that during hurricane
season MacDill is at risk to storm surge and flooding due to being just four
feet above sea level and at the end of a peninsula. MacDill owns a standby generator;
however, the generator only has three days worth of diesel fuel as a reserve.
MacDill is planning to add new load which could exceed the
existing MacDill substation’s capacity. To accommodate the incremental MacDill
load as well as growth in the surrounding area, TECO is building a new substation
(Interbay substation, shown on Attachment B). The Interbay substation is directly
west 1.4 miles from the current MacDill 23 – D substation. Once the Interbay
substation is constructed, MacDill will be served by both substations. TECO
stated that the Interbay substation will be operational in July or August 2018.
Proposed Arrangement
TECO’s current tariff sheet No. 5.075 addresses totalized
metering. Totalized metering can be provided by the utility when single circuit
metering is impractical because the customer’s load exceeds the loading
criteria of one standard transformer. To illustrate, a large warehouse’s demand
cannot be served by one standard transformer. TECO, therefore, would install
two transformers, and two metering circuits, and combine the readings from the
two meters.
The tariff provides for certain criteria the customer must
meet to qualify for totalized metering: (1) all the services totalized must be
at the same voltage level; (2) the facility’s total demand load must exceed the
loading criteria for the largest standard transformer; and (3) the facility
must be comprised of one building containing a single business operated by one
customer. In addition, the tariff states that totalized metering will normally
be provided to a single geographical point.
MacDill’s circumstances vary from what is contemplated in
TECO’s current tariff with respect to two criteria. First, the MacDill base,
while it is on one unit of property, consists of multiple buildings. Second, MacDill
will be served from two points of delivery (the two substations) which are 1.4
miles apart.
The application of totalized metering for the existing and
the new interconnection, along with balancing of the MacDill load between the
two substations, would provide more capacity and more reliable service to
MacDill. In addition, the proposed arrangement would free up capacity at the
MacDill substation allowing TECO to meet future capacity and energy needs
outside the MacDill base. Currently, the MacDill substation only serves
MacDill.
Under the totalized metering arrangement, MacDill will pay
one customer charge and the kilowatt hours metered at the two substations will
be added together. The demand billed will be the highest totalized (combined)
demand registered at both substations.
Conclusion
The Commission recently approved a special contract
between Florida City Gas and U.S. Sugar, a large industrial customer who is
facing unique challenges. Similar to the instant petition, the Commission
approved a variance from Florida City Gas’s tariff to address the challenges
faced by U.S. Sugar through a special contract.
Staff has reviewed TECO and MacDill’s proposed arrangement,
or special contract, and data provided during the informal meeting on Tuesday,
May 1, 2018. Staff recommends that the Commission approve the proposed
arrangement between TECO and MacDill, as shown in Attachment A, effective July
10, 2018.
Issue 2:
Should this docket be closed?
Recommendation:
Yes. If no protest is filed by a person whose
substantial interests are affected within 21 days of the issuance of the Order,
this docket should be closed upon the issuance of a Consummating Order. (Trierweiler)
Staff Analysis:
If no protest is filed by a person whose substantial
interests are affected within 21 days of the issuance of the Order, this docket
should be closed upon the issuance of a Consummating Order.
