Referred to:  The Public Works and Capital Projects Committee (Chairwoman Petit and Legislators Fabiano, Greene, Litts, and Nolan), The Energy and Environment Committee (Chairwoman Greene and Legislators Eckert, Heppner, Wawro, and Woltman), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairwoman Archer and Legislators Gerentine, Maio, Joseph Maloney, Petit, Rodriguez, and Ronk)

Chairwoman of the Energy and Environment Committee, Manna Jo Greene, and Deputy Chair Mary Wawro offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted by the County Executive on behalf of the Department of the Environment; and

            WHEREAS, Section 1005(17) of New York Public Authorities Law permits the New York Power Authority (“NYPA”) to finance and design, develop, construct, implement, provide and administer energy-related projects, programs and services for any public entity; and

            WHEREAS, Resolution No. 72 of 2019 authorized the County to execute a Master Cost Recovery Agreement with NYPA for implementation of such energy-related projects, programs and services as authorized by New York Public Authorities Law; and

            WHEREAS, through the Geothermal Clean Energy Challenge, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”) and the NYPA are identifying the best candidates for large, multi-building ground source heat pump (“GSHP”) systems and providing them with technical assistance and financial support to install this cost-effective, comfortable, and clean technology; and

            WHEREAS, the Ulster County Office Building was accepted into the Challenge in January 2018 and has subsequently received a Stage 1-Summary and Stage 2-Advanced feasibility studies and reports at no cost to the County; and

            WHEREAS, Resolution No. 316 of 2015 established Capital Project No. 394 for HVAC/weatherization projects at the Ulster County Office Building to include the replacement of two (2) natural gas boilers and the cooling tower; and

            WHEREAS, implementation of GHSP at the UC Office Building is estimated to reduce annual greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions by 150 metric tons (CO2e), supporting Executive Order No. 1-2019 goals for operational GHG emissions reduction of 25% by 2025 and 80% by 2050 using the County’s 2012 greenhouse gas emission inventory as a baseline; and

            WHEREAS, Geothermal Installation is a Pledge Element 4 Action in the New York State Climate Smart Communities program; and

            WHEREAS, the total Stage 3 Design Study project cost is $159,693.00, of which 50% will be paid by a grant from NYSERDA, resulting in a cost to the County of $79,846.50; now, therefore, be it

            RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Ulster County Legislature is hereby authorized to execute an Authorization to Proceed (“ATP”) and any related amendments for the Geothermal Clean Energy Challenge Stage 3 Geothermal Design and Procurement service at the Ulster County Office Building, in the form as filed with the Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature or as modified with the approval of the County Attorney,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:   

Passed Committee: Public Works and Capital Projects on ____________.

Passed Committee: Energy and Environment on ____________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ____________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$79,846.50 – 2019 OPERATIONAL BUDGET EXPENDITURE

$79,846.50 – ADDITIONAL 2019 REVENUE STATE AID