Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to modify and extend 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.
This contract originally authorized Ohio Mulch Supply, Inc. to remove a minimum of 27,000 and up to a maximum of 30,000 wet tons of biosolids annually from the Jackson Pike and Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and reuse the biosolids in the DRHP program. Modification No. 3 adjusted the terms by increasing the rate of the first 0-30,000 wet tons removed to $40.00 per wet ton, and for volumes 30,001 or more wet tons to $35.00 per wet ton. Modification No. 9 further modified the terms, setting rates for removal of the first 0-30,000 wet tons at $46.97 per wet ton and volumes of 30,001 or more wet tons at $41.10 per wet ton. Modification No. 10 extends the contract for six months through June 30, 2023 under the same pricing terms.
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 pro...
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