Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to accept the award for the 2023 EcoSmart Choice Sustainability Grant, G602100, in the amount of $167,302.25 from American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) and to modify the non-profit service contract with Solar United Neighbors (SUN) and IMPACT Community Action for the Low- to Moderate-Income (LMI) Solar Co-Op program. This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of the 2023 grant award for this contract modification to fund the Co-Op for Division of Power LMI customers.
The EcoSmart Choice Sustainability Grant program was instituted by AMP to return unused funds to participating members, recognizing EcoSmart Choice participating communities that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability through the promotion of environmentally focused, community based grant projects. Funds are unused if market renewable energy certificate (REC) prices are lower than anticipated.
Expenditures of prior year EcoSmart Choice Grant Funds contributed to DOP’s SMART Street Lighting Project and an offer of smart thermostats to customers in connection with the ongoing Enhanced Meter Project.
In alignment with the Columbus Climate Action Plan, the Sustainable Columbus office has an existing contract with SUN and IMPACT Community Action for a low- to moderate-income (LMI) solar co-op program, authorized by Ordinance 2271-2023. IMPACT Community Action works directly with SUN to identify potential Co-Op participants, mostly through their weatherization program: a federal program that provides energy efficiency upgrades and includes a home audit. The services included in this agreement cannot be provided by existing city employees because these services are beyond the City’s current staffing capacity to provide.
The Division of Power’s EcoSmart Choice grant award will cover 100% of the installation costs for eligible and participating DOP customers. Estimated costs vary from $10,000 to $15,000 per...
Click here for full text