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Fresno County approves Bloom Energy power‑purchase agreement to install on‑site fuel cells at county plaza and jail
Summary
The Board approved a 20‑year power purchase agreement with Bloom Development for a 2,665 kW fuel‑cell system (455 kW at the County Plaza; ~2.2 MW at the jail), which presenters said will cut CO2 emissions and save roughly $19 million over 20 years; one supervisor recused from the vote due to a financial interest.
At a public hearing the Board approved a master power purchase agreement and two system order agreements with Bloom Development (Bloom Energy) to install on‑site solid‑oxide fuel cell systems at the Fresno County Plaza and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office jail.
General Services Director Raymond Hunter described the project as a 2,665 kW portfolio (455 kW at Plaza/Tulare and approximately 2.2 MW at the jail). Bloom representatives said the PPA structure requires no up‑front capital from the county and that Bloom would install, operate and maintain the systems. Bloom presented estimated benefits including fixed energy costs over the 20‑year term, a quoted savings of about $19,000,000 across that term, a reduction of roughly 1,800 metric tons of CO2 per year (about an 18.3% reduction relative to grid purchases as presented), and substantial reductions in nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emissions. Bloom also presented a figure for water savings in the transcript.
Bloom representatives said the systems produce negligible particulate, NOx and SO2 emissions compared with diesel generators, and that the installations would enhance resiliency by powering critical loads during grid outages. A public speaker asked about initial equipment costs and how the PPA pricing is structured; Bloom clarified the PPA covers power produced and that the county incurs no out‑of‑pocket capital expense under the proposed agreement.
Supervisor Magsig recused himself from the item for a stated financial interest and left the room; the board then voted to approve the agreements. County staff and Bloom said they would handle required interconnection agreements and permitting.
The board’s vote authorized the chairman to execute the PPA and related system order agreements, subject to county counsel review and tax collector accounting form approvals.
