Board authorizes start of contract negotiations with SRE Greenworks for proposed solar project

The Tunkhannock Area School District Board authorized staff to begin contract negotiations with SRE Greenworks for a proposed solar project and retained McNeese & Wallace LLC to represent the district during negotiations.

Nut graf: The vote starts a negotiated contracting phase; the board emphasized this is not final approval to sign a construction contract and that additional board approval will be required before any binding agreement.

Administrators and the district’s energy consultant said negotiations will include “off‑ramps” tied to the status of federal tax credits and other evolving incentives. The board noted it expects the district to receive a feasibility study from Penelec (the utility) and that the study may take about seven to eight months to complete; the negotiation window allows time to incorporate feasibility findings.

Board members asked about legal fees and the cost to the district of engaging counsel; administrators said the firm will be paid at the same rate the district has used previously but did not provide a figure during the meeting. The motion to begin negotiations passed by roll call.

Ending: The board will review a proposed contract at a future meeting before any construction or long‑term commitment is made.