Explanation
Background: The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Program, funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, represents a Presidential priority to deploy the cheapest, cleanest, and most reliable energy technologies available - energy efficiency and conservation - across the country.
The Program, authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act modeled after the Community Development Block Grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is intended to assist U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and Indian tribes to develop, promote, implement, and manage energy efficiency and conservation projects and programs designed to:
• Reduce fossil fuel emissions;
• Reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities;
• Improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other appropriate sectors; and
• Create and retain jobs.
Through formula and competitive grants, the Program empowers local communities to make strategic investments to meet the nation's long-term goals for energy independence and leadership on climate change. The City of Columbus has received $7,403,500 from this allocation, as described by ordinance 0868-2009, passed June 22, 2009, with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) identified as a Subgrantee of up to $50,000 of these monies. MORPC will work through the Department of Public Utilities and its electricity customers to implement the Low Income Electric Partnership Program.
MORPC will retrofit 60 homes served by the Columbus Electricity Division (Will target households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. This will be accomplished by accessing the State of Ohio Energy Application Database. Also, will be targeting customers with the highest electric usage based upon the consumption information provided. ) Retrofit measures will include the installation of compact fluorescent light bulbs, metering and possible replacement of inefficient refrigeration appliances with Energy Star refrigerators or freezers. The program will, on average, save the customer 12% on electric bills. MORPC will also be providing additional services through the federally funded weatherization assistance program to be able to impact the total energy usage of the household.
Fiscal Impact: The grant does not require a City match.
Emergency action is requested so that the improvements to be undertaken by MORPC can begin as soon as possible. Under federal regulation, these monies must be allocated within eighteen months of the United States Department of Energy formal acceptance and must be fully spent within thirty-six months of award notice. Otherwise, funding must be returned.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to execute a sub-grant agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for the Low Income Electric Partnership Program which will provide energy and electric bill savings for up to 60 homes served by the Columbus Division of Power and Water; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has been allocated funding from the American Recovery and Revitalization Act of 2009 (ARRA), and has received a formula allocation of up to $7,403,500 from the U.S. Department of Energy for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant; and
WHEREAS, as a subgrantee, MORPC will retrofit 60 homes served by the Columbus Electricity Division and will target households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, and will be accomplished by accessing the State of Ohio Energy Application Database, and will target customers with the highest electric usage based upon the consumption information provided, utilizing retrofit measures which will include the installation of compact fluorescent light bulbs, metering and possible replacement of inefficient refrigeration appliances with Energy Star refrigerators or freezers; and
WHEREAS, the program will, on average, save the participating City's electric customers 12% on electric bills, and MORPC will also provide additional services through the federally funded weatherization assistance program to be able to impact the total energy usage of the household; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Pubic Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a sub-grant agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for the Low Income Electric Partnership Program implementation and to do so as quickly as possible in order to meet the provisions of the federal ARRA 2009 and to realize the benefits and savings of improved energy efficiency for 60 homes; thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to enter into sub-grant agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), 111 Liberty Street, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215 for the Low Income Electric Partnership Program.
Section 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Public Utilities, Division 60-07, Fund 220, Grant # 459106, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 609106.
Section 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten day after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.