Lorain Council hears renewable energy proposal

LORAIN — The city of Lorain could opt into renewable energy for its municipal operations by 2024. City Council's Finance and Claims committee heard a presentation Monday evening from broker Brilliant Source on a proposal to switch the city to a renewable energy supply agreement that would provide wind and solar power to cover municipal usage. The proposed contract would run from 2024 — when the city's current agreement with Ohio Edison ends — to 2034. The proposal estimated the city could save more than $18,000 a year through the switch to AEP, the firm Brilliant Source selected as the best potential provider after a request for proposal on the city's behalf, Brilliant Source Energy President Dawn Paytosh said. The city would be "buying in" with other large-scale entities, allowing for a fixed cost, she said. Through the program, the city would not have to maintain its own wind or solar farms, instead using them similar to a timeshare, where the city is contracted to receive a certain amount of power and AEP is obligated to provide it. Mayor Jack Bradley questioned if the fixed price could be renegotiated during the 10-year contract — as more efficient solar or wind technology could mean changes to overall energy costs. That was not an option, AEP representative Kenneth McNeill said. Bradley said the law director would be reviewing the contract, and speaking to Council before the proposal could move forward. Contact Carissa Woytach at 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.