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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, Cook County is committed to Sustainable and Vital Communities through its Policy Roadmap Strategic Plan and seeks to foster innovation, job growth, economic development and career training in sustainable industries; and
WHEREAS, the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields are growing at an increasing rate, creating opportunities for County residents to build new skills and obtain good-paying jobs in renewable energy development, installation, retrofits and related areas; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is actively working to meet the goals outlined in its Clean Energy Plan, which includes 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from a 2010 baseline, 100% renewable electricity by 2030 for County-owned and operated buildings, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050; and
WHEREAS, The Bureau of Asset Management (BAM) provides clean, safe, secure, sustainable and accessible facilities to service all Cook County departments and elected officials and is responsible for identifying and securing energy purchases for County operations; and
WHEREAS, BAM has entered into an off-site Power Purchase Agreement("PPA") with Constellation Energy, a retail energy supplier and Swift Current, a solar developer ("energy partners"), to meet the County's operational and sustainability goals; and
WHEREAS, the PPA includes a 12 year retail energy supply agreement with the energy partners starting in March 2025 for 49,000 MWH of electricity and local project Renewable Energy Certificates ("RECs"); and
WHEREAS, in addition to the renewable electricity, the County was also able to secure a total of $432,000 in monetary support from the Energy Partners for workforce development opportunities over the life of the PPA; and
WHEREAS, the Agreement specifically provides for an annual contribution of $12,000 from Constellation and $24,000 from Swift Current t...
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