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ORDER OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERS AUTHORIZING SOLAR POWER PURCHASE AND LEASE AGREEMENTS
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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 in; 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 agreements are projected to generate over $100,000 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 such agreements consenting to construction and/or operational financing with financial institutions which a solar contractor may reasonably request, including mortgage, collateral assignment, sale leaseback, or other such conventional financing vehicles, provided that any such agreements shall not create any material additional obligations for the city or subordinate the City’s interest in a property, and 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.