Board authorizes staff to pursue solar contract negotiations with off‑ramps pending utility feasibility and federal credit

The Tunkhannock Area School District authorized staff to begin contract negotiations with SRE Greenworks to develop a solar energy agreement that would include contract off‑ramps tied to federal tax incentives and the outcome of a utility feasibility study. The board emphasized the negotiations are an initial step; any final contract would require a separate board vote.

Superintendent Doherty told the board the district’s energy consultant recommended starting negotiations to allow time to evaluate a Penelec feasibility report and to confirm whether a federal investment tax credit would be available and paid. The feasibility study from Penelec was estimated at roughly seven to eight months, giving the district time to evaluate options before a binding commitment.

Why it matters: Board members said the negotiation strategy — building “off ramps” into a draft contract — protects the district if federal tax incentives change or are not paid. The district intends to await the utility feasibility report to determine site viability before finalizing any construction contract or financing.

Details and next steps: The board authorized staff to draft a final contract with SRE Greenworks that includes exit points based on federal credit status and the Penelec feasibility findings. Staff will return to the board for a vote before any binding contract is executed. The district did not provide a final cost estimate for the engineering or negotiated contract at the meeting.