Commission OKs Butterworth solar PPA and funds renewable‑gas upgrade for sewer plant

At its 8:30 a.m. Fiscal Committee meeting, the City advanced two energy‑related initiatives intended to expand local renewable generation and improve utility resource recovery.

The committee approved a 25‑year power purchase agreement with Interlogix Network Inc. to develop a solar array on the Butterworth Landfill and purchase generated electricity. Staff described the PPA as the next step in a more than decade‑long effort to site local solar; the city compared an estimated modest savings versus existing renewable subscriptions and framed the project as meeting a climate action plan objective.

Separately, staff asked for and received approval for a $765,000 budget substitution from the Infrastructure Investment Project (IIP) fund to procure a renewable natural gas (RNG) conditioning skid. According to staff, a pilot to accept sludge from the city of Wyoming increased gas production from a third digester roughly fourfold, and the new skid — with lead time estimated at 42–52 weeks — would upgrade biogas for sale and use, reduce biosolids sent to landfills, and capture associated environmental attributes.

Officials clarified funding sources: the RNG skid will be paid from sewer enterprise (ratepayer) IIP funds — not general tax dollars — and staff explained how leftover capital funds from completed projects flow into the IIP account. Commissioners asked about operating details, market sales of RNG, and the environmental benefits of biodigesters; staff responded that biodigesters reduce biosolids (reported at ~50–57% reduction), produce RNG for market sale, and generate environmental attributes used to offset emissions.

Both measures passed by voice vote.