Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to modify and extend its contract with American Municipal Power, Inc. (“AMP”) to allow the City to participate in the green energy program EcoSmart Choice through December 31, 2020. The City has been participating in the EcoSmart Choice program since 2013. This program allows the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power, to continue to offer its electric customers (including city facilities) a green energy option to offset their electric energy.
This modification will allow for automatic unlimited 2 year renewals unless one party notifies the other of its intent not to renew at least 90 days before the end of the contract term. These automatic renewals will however, require a written intent of renewal by both parties so as to document an affirmative decision to continue the agreement.
The price of the program was reduced from $5/MWh ($0.005/kWh) to $3/MWh ($0.003/kWh) effective January 1, 2018; and also changed the notification of rate adjustment from 90 days to 45 days.
SUPPLIER: American Municipal Power, Inc., Non-profit, DAX #004495, (FID #31-0943223), Expires January 15, 2021.
American Municipal Power, Inc. does not hold MBE/FBE status.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no cost associated with offering this program.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to modify and extend its contract with American Municipal Power, Inc. to allow the City to participate in the green energy program EcoSmart Choice, and to enroll all city facilities, served by the Division of Power, in the program. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power owns and operates an electric utility system for the sale of electric power to its customers, and
WHEREAS, American Municipal Power, Inc. (“AMP”) is an Ohio nonprofit corporation that functions as a wholesale power supplier and services provider for certain member municipalities that operate electric systems, including Columbus, and
WHEREAS, AMP has developed a green energy program named EcoSmart Choice. EcoSmart Choice is a program that allows municipal electric providers to give their customers a green pricing option, supported by AMP’s purchase of green / renewable energy electric products, including the green attributes from energy generated from hydroelectric, wind, landfill, gas, and other approved generating facilities, and
WHEREAS, the Division of Power has been participating in EcoSmart Choice since 2013, and wants to continue to offer to its customers the choice of green energy, with participation by any customer being entirely optional, and
WHEREAS, being able to offer its customers a voluntary green energy option will make the Division of Power more competitive, and
WHEREAS, this modification will allow for automatic unlimited 2 year renewals unless one party notifies the other of its intent not to renew at least 90 days before the end of the contract term. These automatic renewals will however, require a written intent of renewal by both parties so as to document an affirmative decision to continue the agreement, and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power, to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify and extend the current contract to provide for the City’s continued participation in the EcoSmart Choice Program, with American Municipal Power, Inc.; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to modify and extend its contract with American Municipal Power, Inc. to allow the Division of Power to participate in the green energy program EcoSmart Choice and to enroll all city facilities served by the Division of Power in the program from date of execution by the City of Columbus to December 31, 2020.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to charge any Division of Power customers that sign up for EcoSmart Choice Program as provided for in the pricing and payment provisions of the contract.
SECTION 3. There is no cost associated with this modification.
SECTION 4. This modification will allow for automatic unlimited 2 year renewals unless one party notifies the other of its intent not to renew at least 90 days before the end of the contract term. These automatic renewals will however, require a written intent of renewal by both parties so as to document an affirmative decision to continue the agreement.
SECTION 5. That this modification is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code, Chapter 329, relating to contract modifications.
SECTION 6. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.