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Selectpersons approve contract authorization to pursue Johnson Controls fuel-cell project
Summary
The board authorized the First Select Woman to sign a Johnson Controls performance contract to site two fuel-cell energy servers at town properties (including the WPCA), a $7.2M project Johnson Controls says is budget‑neutral in ~12.5 years and could generate multi‑million-dollar downstream benefits contingent on federal/state incentives.
The Seymour Board of Selectpersons voted to authorize the First Select Woman to enter a contract with Johnson Controls to site two fuel‑cell energy servers on town property, including scoping at the wastewater treatment plant (WPCA). The motion (moved by Bob, seconded by Pat) was carried with one abstention noted.
Johnson Controls representative Aaron Elibrio told the board the project is a roughly $7.2 million performance‑based contract to install two containerized fuel‑cell units (325 kW each; 650 kW total). "This project is budget neutral over 12.5 years," Elibrio said, noting the model assumes an 18–24 month timing for any federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) direct‑pay disbursement and an 20‑year contractual operating term that includes manufacturer operations and maintenance guarantees.
Elibrio described two policy changes that shape the project: recent IRA/ITC program language that may allow direct pay for municipalities (he estimated about $1.9 million in direct‑pay value if eligibility holds) and a Connecticut statute change (Senate Bill 4) that narrows how the state treats fuel cells under certain renewable programs. "The sooner we move into construction and program enrollment, the more options and incentives likely to be available," he said.
The presentation covered technical and site details: units run continuously, have remote monitoring and a manufacturer maintenance dispatch, and produce usable heat that could be captured for future onsite uses. Elibrio recommended WPCA and the community center as candidate sites because of existing infrastructure; he also noted possible solar co‑deployment at a school site as a parallel application, subject to separate approvals.
Town counsel and staff stressed the approval authorizes contract negotiation and execution subject to later town‑council and legal review. The motion passed after discussion on timing, permitting and how net revenues could be used — for example, to reduce outstanding school construction financing or to fund other town needs. The board recorded the motion outcome as carried with one abstention (member noted she was not yet ready to vote). The board directed town staff and counsel to complete legal review and return any final contract to the council as required.
Next steps: finalize the performance contract language, complete required permitting and program applications (a low‑emission/renewables program bid window was discussed with August–September dates), and return to the town council for any required approvals before construction.
