Council authorizes administration to negotiate new 100% renewable electric supply contract

Council authorized the administration to negotiate a new supplier contract for the city’s electric aggregation program, directing staff to continue seeking 100% renewable supply while keeping flexibility on REC sourcing and contract term.

Director Gruber said the city's current supply contract with DynaG expires at the end of May 2026 and staff needs authority to select a new supplier starting June 1. "The city has to enter into a new contract for electric supply when our current contract expires at the May 2026," he told council. Aspen Energy ran an RFP to seven suppliers and received two proposals, from Constellation and DynaG; staff asked for flexible authority to pick the best offer obtained through that process.

Jay Sell, Aspen Energy's consultant, explained the proposals focus on national wind renewable energy credits (RECs) because Ohio or PJM‑zone RECs at reasonable prices are not currently available: "We would be talking about national, wind RECs," he said. Council members acknowledged the sustainability goal of 100% renewable supply but debated equity and local economic signaling: one member asked whether buying RECs that support out‑of‑state wind projects is the best use of funds for an ultimately regressive utility cost. After debate, Council voted on a motion to grant the administration flexibility; the clerk called the roll on suspension and enactment and the motion passed with recorded Aye votes from Changelis, Kauss, Malone, Moore, Carmela Williams and Bixenstein.