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UTILITY BOARD AWARDS CONTRACT FOR FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATION
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 08/14/08 ~ The Utility Board awarded a one-year contract for fiber optic installation services to Precision Contracting Services, Inc., at an estimated cost of $100,725.00, at their regular meeting on August 13th.
Precision will provide installation services to local governmental agencies wishing to interconnect to the $2.8-million, 65-mile long, fiber optic back bone throughout Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) service area.
“The fiber optic back bone will interconnect KEYS’ facilities, allow for increased communication capabilities, and enhance remote features to improve upon power reliability and reduce restoration times,” said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS General Manager & CEO. She added that, “while the main purpose of the fiber optic installation is for improved efficiency of KEYS operations – the fact other local governmental agencies will be able to connect to fiber is an added benefit.”
KEYS staff is currently developing interconnection rates and usage fees for governmental agencies. Those agencies wishing to interconnect will work with KEYS who will subcontract with Precision for necessary line extensions and to connect their facilities to the fiber optic back bone.
Fiber optic communication is a method of transmitting information from one place to another by sending light through an optical fiber. The light forms an electromagnetic carrier wave which is modulated to carry information from point A to B.
The regular meeting of the Utility Board took place at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 13th, in the Louis Carbonell Board Room of the William Arnold Service Building, 1001 James Street, Key West.
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KEYS ENCOURAGES ENERGY CONSERVATION TO OFFSET HIGH ENERGY BILLS
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08/05/2008 ~ Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) customers will experience an increase in their August bill of $9.00 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours* (kwh) of energy consumed as a direct result of the cost of fuel.
“Although KEYS purchases a diverse portfolio of energy, the continued rising costs of oil and natural gas have to be passed on to customers,” said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS’ General Manager & CEO. She added that, “additional increases in the coming months are anticipated, but it is important customers understand KEYS does not make a profit on the cost of fuel, rather, the price KEYS pays for fuel is passed along to customers at cost.”
This is the second consecutive month KEYS has had to increase the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) charge to recover the fluctuating cost of fuel. The PCA was increased from $28.00 per 1,000 kwh to $37.00 per 1,000 kwh for the month of August to keep up with rising costs.
“While KEYS will continue to do everything in its power to keep energy costs low, our customers have the most direct and immediate affect on their monthly energy bill,” said Tejeda. She added that KEYS, “encourages conservation as a means to reduce the cost of monthly energy bills in light of this month’s increase and anticipated increases in the months to come.”
KEYS’ customers should consider these cost saving measures:
- Air Conditioning: In Florida, air conditioning is usually the largest user of electricity in homes. To conserve energy and save money, KEYS’ customers should raise air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees or warmer during summer months. Customers should consider raising their thermostats to 82 degrees or warmer if they are planning on being away from their home for an extended period of time. Customers can save themselves the effort, and make daily temperature adjustments more dependable, by installing a programmable thermostat. Additional home cooling tips for customers to keep in mind are: every month, clean or replace air conditioning filters; once a year, inspect duct work and repair leaking ducts; always keep windows and doors closed when the air conditioning is turned on; use ceiling fans to aid room comfort, but turn fans off when rooms are not occupied; and close curtains or blinds on east- and west-facing windows during the day to reduce heat from the sun.
- Water Heating: Water heating is generally the second largest energy user in a home. To save energy, customers should reduce the temperature setting on their water heater to 120 degrees or lower if they do not use a dishwasher or if their dishwasher has a heating element. Customers can install a timer that can automatically turn the water off at night and on in the morning, and should consider using only cold water for washing clothes.
- Lighting: Customers should replace their most frequently used lights with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Compact fluorescents last longer than incandescent bulbs and produce the same amount of light using significantly less energy. Customers should always turn off lights in any room that is not occupied.
- Miscellaneous: Customers should limit the number of household refrigerators; turn off personal computers when not in use; and limit the time a pool pump runs to six hours per day in the summer.
KEYS’ customers can also access a wealth of energy conservation tips online by logging on to www.KeysEnergy.com and clicking on the Growing Greener Every Day icon. While online, customers can sign-up for a FREE home energy survey, take a FREE online energy survey, and receive information on how to better track their monthly energy usage.
*Kilowatt-hour (kwh): A common unit of electric energy consumption, and the basic unit of electric energy. One kwh is equivalent to 1,000 watts consumed over a period of one hour.
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KEYS’ ENERGY CONSERVATION CALENDARS NOW AVAILABLE
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07/29/2008 ~ Keys Energy Services (KEYS) is proud to announce that its 12th annual Energy Conservation calendars are now available.
Customers can pick up a FREE copy of the calendar at KEYS’ Service Building at 1001 James Street in Key West, or at KEYS’ Big Pine Key branch office at 13 Ships Way, while supplies last. Additionally, an eco-friendly, electronic copy of the calendar is available online at http://www.keysenergy.com/EnergyConservationCalendar.php.
KEYS’ calendar follows the local school district academic year and highlights energy conservation practices using the art of local elementary school students.
Calendars have been distributed to all elementary schools within KEYS service area and will be given to students during “Meet the Teacher” day prior to the start of classes.
KEYS’ Energy Conservation calendar was recently selected as a ‘Gold Winner’ at the Service Industry Advertising Awards for its innovative presentation and content.
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UTILITY BOARD APPROVES LEASE AGREEMENT WITH COUNTY TO OPERATE ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY ON BIG PINE KEY
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07/24/2008 ~ The Utility Board approved a two-year lease agreement with Monroe County to operate an Animal Control Facility at Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) decommissioned Peaker Generating site on Industrial Road in Big Pine Key at their regular meeting on Wednesday, July 23rd.
The current 20-year lease with Monroe County to operate an Animal Control Facility on Big Pine Key was set to expire on August 31, 2008. On September 12, 2007, the Utility Board approved the termination of the current lease upon expiration.
“During subsequent months, KEYS’ Land Use Committee met with representatives of Stand Up For Animals (SUFA), Monroe County, and citizens in the Big Pine Key area, to discuss the animal control situation,” said Lynne Tejeda, KEYS’ General Manager & CEO. She added that, “as a result of numerous collaborative discussions, Monroe County agreed to continue their contract with SUFA and KEYS staff developed the current lease for animal control services.”
The initial term of the lease will be for two years, beginning at midnight on September 1, 2008, and ending at midnight on August 30, 2010. The Board of County Commissioners approved the lease on July 16, 2008.
The Florida Municipal Power Agency is currently working with Sun Edison and KEYS to determine the feasibility of installing a solar array on the adjacent property of the de-commissioned Peaker Generating site.
The regular meeting of the Utility Board took place at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 23rd, in the Louis Carbonell Board Room of the William Arnold Service Building, 1001 James Street, Key West.
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TEJEDA APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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 07/23/2008 ~ The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) recently appointed Lynne Tejeda, Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) general manager & CEO, as president of the organization’s board of directors.
“Board members participate in regular meetings held across the state and are charged with setting the overall direction of the organization,” said Barry Moline, FMEA’s executive director. “Lynne has established herself as a strong leader on utility issues not only in the lower Florida Keys, but throughout the state of Florida. We’re honored to have her serve as our president.”
“I am pleased to be chosen to serve as an elected member on FMEA’s board. This organization is helping our state’s electric industry stay at the forefront of the nation by keeping its members informed on legislative issues and providing safety, training and customer service resources,” said Tejeda.
She added, “I think Benjamin Franklin said it best: ‘We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.’ FMEA is a good example of this statement; by bringing together our local communities, the organization is assuring that our priorities remain focused on consumers.”
Tejeda joined KEYS in 1989, and prior to assuming responsibility for the day-to-day management of the utility in December 2005, she served as assistant general manager and COO. Tejeda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Other officers appointed to the FMEA board include President-Elect Ed Regan of Gainesville; Vice President Paul Kalv of Leesburg; and, Secretary-Treasurer Howard McKinnon of Havana.
FMEA represents the unified interests of 34 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3-million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.
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