Number
180211
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
091066, 091269, 131035, 170337, 171843
Sponsor
ALD. BOHL AND JOHNSON
Title
Substitute resolution approving a non-disclosure agreement between the City of Milwaukee and the WEC Energy Group relating to the development of utility-scale solar facilities for City use.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes the Department of Administration - Environmental Collaboration Office to enter into a Non-Disclosure Agreement with WEC Energy Group to protect the confidentiality of certain pricing and economic information during the planning and negotiation phase of a project with WEC Energy Group to install utility-scale solar photovoltaic panels in Wisconsin to service the electric demand of the City, Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.
Body
Whereas, Common Council Resolution File Number 091066, adopted December 22, 2009, authorizes the City to become a community partner with the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence through the Wisconsin Independent Community Partnership relating to the State of Wisconsin “25 x 25 Goals” Program, which supports the goal of generating 25 percent of the City’s electricity from renewable resources by 2025; and
Whereas, Common Council Resolution File Number 091269, adopted February 9, 2010, relates to the application, acceptance, and funding of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for the Solar America Cities program; and
Whereas, Common Council Resolution File Number 131035, adopted December 17, 2013, approves and directs the implementation of the City’s first sustainability plan, ReFresh Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The City’s sustainability plan calls on the City to reduce energy use by 20% by 2020 and to increase reliance on renewable energy to 25% by 2025; and
Whereas, According to the Solar Energies Industry Association, the cost to install solar panels has dropped by more than 70% since 2010; and
Whereas, Common Council Resolution File Number 170337, adopted May 31, 2017, expresses the City’s support for the Paris Climate Accord, and
Whereas, The City has made a commitment to take actions to reduce climate pollution in alignment with the City’s energy efficiency and renewable energy goals, and continues to support the principles of the Paris Climate Accord; and
Whereas, Common Council Resolution File Number 171843, adopted April 17, 2018, directs the Department of Administration - Environmental Collaboration Office to accept incentive funding from the Focus on Energy program and to work with a participant vendor and solar installer to design, supply, install, commission, maintain, and finance 1.1 megawatts of solar photovoltaic panels on six City buildings; and
Whereas, Utility-scale solar installations will be necessary to meet the City’s ambitious goals; and
Whereas, Under the regulatory regime established by the State of Wisconsin and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the City of Milwaukee is located in the electric utility service territory of WEC Energy Group, Inc.; and
Whereas, The WEC Energy Group has expressed interest in pursuing an arrangement similar to the “Renewable Energy Rider” that was recently approved for the Madison Gas and Electric Company territory by which WEC Energy Group and the City would enter into a service contract to provide dedicated renewable generation to the City at a renewable resource rate; and
Whereas, The WEC Energy Group has conditioned the negotiation of a potential renewable energy service contract on the need to protect confidential information during the planning and negotiation phase, which is set forth in the Non-Disclosure Agreement attached to this file; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Environmental Collaboration Office is directed to execute the Non-Disclosure Agreement attached to this file, with such revisions as may be required by the City Attorney; and, be it
Further Resolved, That any future renewable energy service agreement shall be entered into by the Department of Administration - Environmental Collaboration Office only upon approval by the Common Council.
Requestor
Environmental Collaboration Office
Drafter
LRB171306-1
Tea Norfolk
5/10/2018