Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to modify and add funding to the contract with Ohio Mulch Supply, Inc. to provide a biosolids beneficial reuse program, known as the Deep Row Hybrid Poplar (DRHP) program, for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage (DOSD). Ohio Mulch operates the DRHP program on its 1,012-acre New Lexington Tree Farm, LLC (NLTF) in Perry Township, Perry County, Ohio.
All biosolids removed from the WWTPs under the program are Class B dewatered biosolids, which are produced from the stabilization of primary and secondary wastewater solids that have been digested to meet strict OEPA volatile solids and disease vector reduction requirements. Ohio Mulch utilizes the biosolids as a nitrogen source to grow hybrid poplar trees, which are later harvested for mulch. Additionally, the biosolids add valuable organic material to the old abandoned mine site that is now repurposed as the New Lexington Tree Farm. Ohio Mulch utilizes approximately 30 acres per year at the tree farm site, with trees harvested every 6 to 8 years.
The Director of Public Utilities received the Ohio Mulch, Inc. proposal on April 15, 2011 in response to a Request for Proposals for an innovative reuse of biosolids program. It was the only proposal received with the DRHP concept. Other proposals included mechanized dryer processes that would dry and pelletize biosolids for commercial wholesale and biosolids-cake land application proposals. The selection committee deemed Ohio Mulch’s DRHP the best fit for the DOSD Biosolids Program.
The terms for the contract award allowed for two continuation options after the first 30 months elapsed: one running for a total of five-years (including the 30 months prior) and another running for ten years (also including the initial 30 months). The latter option was chosen and has undergone a few revisions over its duration to account for unexpected transportation and operational costs. Rates were increased at va...
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