Scheduled Outage

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The FPB Electric department will conduct a scheduled service outage tomorrow morning, May 9th in the 100-200 block of Swigert Ave. The service interruption will begin at 9:00am and should be completed by 10:00am.

The scheduled electric service interruption is necessary for system maintenance. Approximately 25 to 30 homes will be impacted and FPB is going door to door today to inform those in the maintenance area.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.

FPB Votes to Look for Alternative Power Supplier

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“These options may enable FPB to reduce power costs ”
— FPB Chair Ralph Ludwig

On September 23, 2013, Kentucky Utilities (KU) filed a rate case with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to significantly modify the terms and conditions of Frankfort Plant Board’s (FPB) current power supply contract.

Because of extensive changes proposed by KU, Frankfort’s current wholesale energy supplier, FPB worked with industry experts to investigate other power supply alternatives. FPB, along with their consultants, have determined there are several viable power supply options.  FPB Chair Ralph Ludwig explained how this decision could have multiple positive results. “These options may enable FPB to reduce power costs to our community and provide a more diversified power supply portfolio which will reduce our exposure to future carbon or other environmental legislation.”

Consequently, FPB has decided to provide KU with the contractually required five year notice of termination letter, allowing FPB to retain its ability to secure a different power provider.

FPB Approves Viacom Deal

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After weeks of negotiations, the Directors of the Frankfort Plant Board agreed to terms with Viacom and will keep the 18 Viacom owned channels on the FPB Cable lineup.

The National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) represented FPB and approximately 800 other cable providers and their over 5 million subscribers. Viacom originally asked the NCTC members for a 100% increase. After tense negotiations and multiple deadline extensions, a deal was reached for an increase of just under 35%.

Terms were made available to the FPB Board of Directors late last week and Wednesday, April 9, the Board held a special meeting to vote on the agreement.

During the special Board meeting, a public hearing was scheduled for the regularly scheduled meeting of the Directors on May 20, 2014 to discuss a modest, potential cable rate increase. This increase would be a partial pass through to customers as a result of the Viacom increase.

FPB Board Chairman Ralph Ludwig said the increase to the customers is unfortunate, but an unavoidable cost in this day and age of cable TV. “A few large companies own a majority of the cable networks and this structure makes it difficult to avoid these increases. The media companies hold all of the cards.” Ludwig continued, “FPB, being a not for profit, municipal utility, is able to pass along less of an increase than most providers. We hoped that the increase from Viacom would be smaller, but the NCTC was able to get the price to a lower level.”

Viacom owns many popular networks including Comedy Central, MTV, BET, VH-1 and TV Land, but Board members heard from many customers that wanted one channel in particular. “Nickelodeon is one of the most popular channels in our lineup and many customers voiced their concern over potentially losing this programming that is tops for kids. We are glad it is still part of the FPB lineup” said Ludwig.

During negotiations, FPB customers were kept informed through a special website created by the NCTC. TVOnMySide.com was linked from FPB’s website and had regular updates and information.

Ludwig made this final comment about FPB and the NCTC, “We want our customers to know that we negotiate these contracts with them in mind:  our goal is to secure the programming at the most reasonable cost.”

Boil Water Advisory Canceled

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The Water Department of the Frankfort Plant Board is notifying you that the Division of Water of the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection has now canceled the Boil Water Advisory.

This Advisory was issued 4/7/14 due to the loss of pressure in the water main caused by Plant Board crews disconnecting the old water main.

The streets affected were:

  • Elizabeth St
  • Patricia St from Elizabeth St to Butler St
  • 935 & 941 Georgetown Rd

If you should have any questions or problems with normal service or water quality please call 352-4372 or 352-4433

Interruption of Water Service

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On Monday 04/7/14 there will be an interruption of water service from 8:30 A.M. until 10:00 P.M. in the following areas:

  • Elizabeth St
  • Patricia St from Elizabeth St to Butler St
  • 935 & 941 Georgetown Rd

Immediately following there will be a Boil Water Advisory.

A vigorous boil for at least two minutes is recommended. This Boil Water Advisory is a precautionary measure due to a loss of pressure in the water main caused by Plant Board crews disconnecting the old water main.

This Advisory will remain in effect until lab analysis of water samples taken confirms that the potable water supply in the affected area is safe to drink. You will receive a notice when the advisory is lifted.

If you have any questions concerning the Boil Water Advisory, please call 352-4372 or 352-4433

Viacom Negotiations Wrapping Up

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“FPB should get the final terms of the agreement from Viacom and the NCTC sometime later this week.”

The long negotiation process between Viacom and FPB’s representatives at the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) has ended. The negotiations wrapped up Tuesday.

FPB should get the final terms of the agreement from Viacom and the NCTC sometime later this week. Then, the FPB Board of Directors will consider the offer and make a decision to accept the deal, under the negotiated terms, or to not accept the terms and remove the networks from the FPB Cable lineup.

Until a final decision is made by the FPB Board of Directors, the 18 Viacom networks will continue to air on the FPB Cable lineup.