Suffolk County, NY Purchasing Power from Renewable Sources

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 4/5/05

Source File: http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/NY06R.htm

Text:

RESOLUTION NO. 236–2005
TO PROMOTE EMISSION-FREE ENERGY BY PURCHASING POWER FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES

WHEREAS, the protection of the environment world-wide will depend, in large part, on the ability to utilize renewable resources for power generation; and

WHEREAS, renewable sources such as wind, hydro-electric, biomass or solar energy create less pollution then utilizing fossil fuels; and

WHEREAS, the County of Suffolk has historically been a leader in promoting environmentally-friendly policies to benefit Suffolk residents and businesses; and

WHEREAS, the County of Suffolk purchases its power from the local utility which allows customers to purchase power from specialized “Green Power Marketers”; and

WHEREAS, the purchase of power from these marketers who use renewable generation sources fosters the development of the renewable energy industry in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, the proliferation of the renewable energy marketers will benefit all residents by making power from emission-free generation cheaper and more available to all; and

WHEREAS, the County of Suffolk wishes to promote these emission-free resources by purchasing power for County buildings from clean, renewable, pollution free power suppliers; now, therefore be it

1st RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed pursuant to Section C8-2(W) of the Suffolk County Charter to participate in the LIPA Green Choice Program to purchase emission-free, electrical generating capacity, in an amount equal to 5% of the County’s total annual usage, however, the total additional cost of the power purchased under the Green Choice Program shall not exceed $100,000.00 annually when compared to the cost of conventional energy; and be it further

2nd RESOLVED, that, to the extent that such power is available through the LIPA Green Choice Program from more then one emission-free, new electrical generating capacity marketer, then the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works is further authorized, empowered, and directed to issue an RFP to purchase such power at the lowest price; and be it further

3rd RESOLVED, that any contract or agreement to purchase such emission-free, new electrical generating capacity, shall be for a period of no less then 5 years, and no more then 10 years; and be it further

4th RESOLVED, that this Legislature, being the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) lead agency, hereby finds and determines that this resolution constitutes a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(20), (21) and (27) of Title 6 of the NEW YORK CODE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS (6 NYCRR) and within the meaning of Section 8-0109(2) of the NEW YORK ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW as a promulgation of regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and legislative decisions in connection with continuing agency administration, management and information collection, and the Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is hereby directed to circulate any appropriate SEQRA notices of determination of non-applicability or non-significance in accordance with this resolution.