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January 2007

2007: Looking Forward

As a not-for-profit electric utility, FKEC's focus is to provide the best possible service to you – our member-consumers – and to our local community. In 2007, FKEC plans to improve the reliability of our local electric system, increase member satisfaction and advance the company's overall operational efficiency.

RELIABILITY...

EXTREME WIND STANDARD
In the December issue of FKEC News it was noted that "storm hardening" to strengthen our electric system was a major highlight of 2006. One aspect of our comprehensive and ongoing storm hardening program is the adoption of the NESC extreme wind standard for new construction and reconstruction of our system.

In order to help FKEC meet this extreme wind standard throughout its local service territory, the co-op has hired an engineering consultant to study the system and then make recommendations on how to revise the company's construction standards. For example, these new standards will define the size of poles required for different applications and will note how many service lines, transformers and insulators can be attached to each pole without compromising its ability to withstand high winds.

Once these new standards are defined, FKEC crews will follow these recommendations when installing new poles, replacing poles and upgrading equipment throughout the system.

In addition, FKEC will continue its work on the other aspects of its storm hardening program in 2007, including worn pole replacement and aggressive tree trimming to help ensure system reliability year-round.

NORTH KEY LARGO SUBSTATION
As part of its ongoing effort to provide reliable electric service to all members equally, FKEC is obligated to expand its system to meet the growing needs of its members. In North Key Largo, this obligation means building a small new substation to maintain reliable service in that area. In 2006, FKEC completed and submitted a Habitat Conservation Plan as part of the ongoing permitting process.

With member service and environmental protection as priorities, FKEC hopes to have the Habitat Conservation Plan reviewed and approved in 2007 so the co-op can move forward through the permitting phase of the project.

SATISFACTION...

OUTAGE MAPPING SYSTEM
In 2007, FKEC members should enjoy even faster response to their outage calls with the help of an advanced outage mapping system.

FKEC has hired a professional project manager to oversee the co-op's implementation of a fully automated system that will use live calls to quickly determine if an outage is limited to one house, street or neighborhood or if an entire area is affected. The system will log each outage call and use real-time service information to determine which pole, transformer, or phase the callers share. This will allow FKEC to rapidly pinpoint the trouble area more quickly and will help system operators dispatch personnel and equipment more efficiently.

For our members, the key to the system is the telephone number associated with each account. The phone number in our records links your meter location to the automated outage reporting system, so you are encouraged to check your electric bill to ensure the phone number at the service location is current. The automated outage reporting system is available 24 hours per day.

SERVICE SURVEYS
Also in 2007, FKEC will be mailing service surveys to a cross sample of the co-op's 31,000 active account holders. If you receive a survey this year, please complete it and return it to FKEC. The routine survey helps FKEC track trends in residency and energy usage that are used to project future service needs for our community.

FKEC also plans to implement new service satisfaction surveys to provide feedback on the company's performance and to help define which service areas need improvement.

EFFICIENCY...

NEW TAVERNIER HEADQUARTERS
The proposed new headquarters building planned for Tavernier will increase the company's efficiency by combining its administration and operations functions. FKEC's present administrative offices are on the oceanside of U.S. 1 and the operations complex is across the street. This means employees and members are frequently crossing busy U.S. 1 to access the company's various services and departments. The proposed new office/warehouse facility would allow FKEC's employees to more easily coordinate their efforts and share information and resources.

The new facility would also include a poured concrete roof and other hurricane resistant features so FKEC would be more prepared to restore our community's power quickly and efficiently after a storm.

Plans for the new headquarters continue to move forward, but initial construction estimates in 2006 exceeded FKEC's budget. New bids on the final revised plans are expected by the end of the first quarter of 2007. Once the new bids are reviewed, FKEC's Board of Directors will decide whether or not to move ahead with the plans.

TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES/TRAINING
Technological advances in both computer software and electric industry practices are perpetual, so FKEC is continually reviewing options and scheduling upgrades and training when more efficient choices become affordable and available.

In 2007, FKEC will be converting its in-house consumer accounting software from XL+ to IVUE. This upgrade/conversion process should be seamless to our members, but it will ultimately increase the efficiency of our consumer accounting department.

Also in 2007, FKEC will focus on providing more current technology training for its employees in their current positions. This means that employees will have the opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in equipment and techniques in their own fields to help improve the efficiency of individual employees and their departments.

Scott is an active member of the Upper Keys community and is a past president, current director and president-elect of the Rotary Club of Key Largo, is a director for the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce and is co-founder and president of the Upper Keys Golf Association.

In 1994, Scott completed the three-year national electrical course for apprentice linemen to further his education in cooperative operations. He is a graduate of Leadership Monroe County Class XI and completed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Management Internship Program in 2005.

Scott graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in Agriculture Business and Economics in 1986. In 1988, he began his career in the electricity industry when he joined the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) in Washington, D.C. With the REA, he worked first as a Commercial Loan Specialist and was later promoted to Power Requirements Officer before moving to the Florida Keys to join FKEC in 1990.