Allegany County Seeks Solar Generating Facility

Allegany County is seeking a company to build a solar generating facility to reduce costs of running the county’s wastewater treatment plants. The electricity to run these plants costs the county approximately $200,000 a year. As reported by the Cumberland Times-News,

The cost of building the solar array would be borne by the winning bidder. The county would not offer financing or compensation for the creation of the generating facility. …The winning bidder would be compensated since the county would enter into a 25-year agreement to purchase power from the facility. The solar panels would be mounted on the ground and not on a building, according to the July 14 advertisement in the Times-News. “The county and solar system owner shall come to an agreement on a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program for personal property tax on the solar equipment,” according to the request for proposals. The RFP allows for renewal of the contract and gives the county an option to purchase the system at the end of the 25-year term and at the end of each renewal period.

To learn more about how to leverage private sector investments to save on energy costs attend the MACo Summer Conference session titled “Leveraging Private Investment to Capitalize Energy Improvements.” Information about the session is below. Description: Savvy leaders across the country are learning how to leverage private sector investments to “green” facilities and save on energy costs. Find out how your county can successfully use “green bank” lending programs and take advantage of public private partnerships to retain local debt capacity. Speakers will discuss Energy Performance Contracting and Power Purchase Agreements, examine innovative approaches to finance school renovations, and showcase model projects that use Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) lending. Speakers:

  • Wyatt Shifflet, Director of Finance Programs, Maryland Clean Energy Center
  • David Lever, Executive Director, Public School Construction Program
  • Laura Franke, Managing Director, Public Financial Management, Inc.
  • Mike Dow, Esq.; Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice LLP

Moderator: The Honorable Sallie Jameson, Maryland House of Delegates Date/Time: Wednesday, August 12, 2015; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference:

For a schedule of educational sessions at MACo’s Summer Conference, please view the Registration Brochure. Questions? Contact Meetings & Events Director Virginia White.