title
ORDER OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERS AUTHORIZING SOLAR POWER PURCHASE AND LEASE AGREEMENTS
body
WHEREAS, in 2019, the City of New Haven formally recognized the urgency of the climate crisis and ordered to act by adopting a Climate Emergency Order; and,
WHEREAS, the City of New Haven is committed to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to reduce energy costs and protect the environment; and,
WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut in Public Act 19-35 amended the process for auctioning Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) through the Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES) program to facilitate the financing of solar projects; and,
WHEREAS, solar arrays on City buildings and sites funded through power purchase agreements can provide New Haven with low-cost electricity without any bonded capital outlay; and,
WHEREAS, solar power purchase agreements can provide savings of over 25% relative to current electricity costs and can also generate new revenues from the City through lease agreements; and,
WHEREAS, the solar lease agreements can generate revenue to support municipal services; and,
WHEREAS, the solar lease agreement is projected to generate $72,000 annually in revenue; and,
WHEREAS, various City buildings and sites have been identified as potential candidates for solar arrays and parking canopies, including the East Shore Park north parking lot, the Bowen Field parking lot, the Alling Memorial Golf Course parking lot, and the Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy for Global Awareness parking lot; and,
WHEREAS, distributed generation systems such as solar arrays require separate interconnection agreements with the local electrical distribution company in order to operate; and,
WHEREAS, the City of New Haven Energy Committee has been previously empowered by the Board of Alders to make specific recommendations regarding energy purchases; and,
WHEREAS, the City of New Haven Energy Committee includes Aldermanic representation.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven that the Mayor is authorized and empowered to enter into multi-year power purchase and lease agreements for City-owned facilities or sites (including Board of Education and Parks Department facility sites) subject to the approval of the City of New Haven Energy Committee; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED by the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven that the Mayor is authorized and empowered to enter into any utility agreements required for the installation and technical execution of the aforementioned power purchase and lease agreements, including but not limited to electrical interconnection agreements with United Illuminating containing provisions indemnifying United Illuminating inclusive of attorney fees and court costs.