Number
181537
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
091066, 131035, 131576, 170337, 171843, 180457
Sponsor
ALD. KOVAC, ALD. BAUMAN, ALD. JOHNSON, ALD. MURPHY, ALD. RAINEY, ALD. PEREZ, ALD. STAMPER, AND ALD. LEWIS
Title
Substitute resolution relating to solar facility installations at City-owned buildings.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes the Department of Administration to enter into a conventional construction agreement with Eagle Point Solar to build up to 210 kilowatts (KW) of solar systems on three library facilities: Central Library, Center Street Library, and Tippecanoe Library. Under the agreement, the City would own 100% of the solar systems and use an existing capital appropriation from the Better Buildings Challenge capital account and Focus on Energy rebates to fund the construction.
Body
Whereas, On December 22, 2009, the Common Council adopted File Number 091066, supporting the “25 x 25” goal, which called for generating 25 percent of the City’s electricity from renewable resources by 2025; and
Whereas, On December 17, 2013, the Common Council adopted File Number 131035, approving and directing implementation of the City's sustainability plan, ReFresh Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The City's sustainability plan calls on the City to reduce energy use 20% by 2020 and increase use of renewable energy to 25% by 2025; and
Whereas, On April 2, 2014, the Common Council adopted File Number 131576, directing the Department of Administration-Office of Environmental Sustainability and the Department of Public Works to create an energy independence plan that will, among other things, reduce reliance on fossil fuels for the supply of electricity, natural gas and heat to operate City facilities and infrastructure; and
Whereas, On June 20, 2017, the Common Council adopted File Number 170337, expressing the City’s support for the Paris Climate Accord; and
Whereas, The City has made a commitment to take action 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, On April 17, 2018, the Common Council adopted File Number 171843, directing the Department of Administration-Environmental Collaboration Office to accept $211,882 of incentive funding from the Focus on Energy program and work with a participant investor and solar installer to design, supply, install, commission, maintain and finance 1.1 megawatt (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on six City-owned buildings; and
Whereas, The Department of Administration issued Request for Proposal #15921 to identify the most financially advantageous proposal from qualified solar installers and participant investors for the solar PV panels project; and
Whereas, On July 31, 2018, the Common Council adopted File Number 180457, authorizing the Department of Administration-Environmental Collaboration Office to enter into a Solar Services Agreement with Eagle Point Solar to design, supply, install, commission, maintain, finance, and co-own 1.1 MW of solar PV panels on six City-owned buildings; and
Whereas, The City executed a contract with Eagle Point Solar; and
Whereas, Under the agreement, Eagle Point Solar has already procured and delivered solar panels specifically designed for installation on these City buildings, and the solar equipment is currently in storage in a City of Milwaukee facility; and
Whereas, We Energies denied Eagle Point Solar’s application to interconnect the system to the grid, citing We Energies’ belief that Eagle Point Solar is acting as a public utility; and
Whereas, The dispute over the denial of the interconnection requests is ongoing and has indefinitely delayed construction of the project; and
Whereas, In December, 2018, We Energies received Wisconsin Public Services Commission approval to offer customers solar energy through two new tariffs, referred to as Solar Now and the Dedicated Renewable Energy Resource; and
Whereas, The City will carefully review and consider using We Energies’ offer to provide 2 MW of solar PV panels through We Energies’ Solar Now pilot tariff and additional renewable energy under the Dedicated Renewable Energy Resource pilot tariff for future energy projects to help the City further advance its clean energy goals; and
Whereas, The City asserts its interest in having a diversified portfolio of clean energy options and demonstrating immediate action on climate change; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration-Environmental Collaboration Office is authorized to use existing appropriations under the Better Buildings Challenge capital account, and approximately $45,000 in incentives from the Statewide Focus on Energy program, to enter into a conventional construction agreement with Eagle Point Solar at a total project cost up to $419,000, to build up to 210 KW of solar PV panels on three library facilities: Central Library, Center Street Library, and Tippecanoe Library; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City of Milwaukee will maintain 100 percent ownership of these solar facilities on these three library buildings immediately upon construction completion and project commissioning; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Attorney’s Office is authorized to draft and execute the appropriate legal agreements for this contract.
Requestor
Environmental Collaboration Office
Drafter
LRB 173450-2
Erick Shambarger/Aaron Michelson
2/11/2019