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Glendale City Council Watch
Eco-Items on the Agenda for Tuesday, January 24, 2023
6 pm Regular City Council Meeting
Agenda/Watch: https://glendaleca.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=33891
8. ACTION ITEMS
a. Community Development, re: California Energy Commission’s California Automated Permit Processing (CalAPP) Program grant in the amount of $80,000 to support Glendale’s incorporation of SolarAPP+ into the Land Management System – REPORT
1. Motion authorizing the Director of Community Development or designee to execute Grant Agreement with the California Energy Commission for the California Automated Permit Processing (CalAPP) Program in the amount of $80,000
2. Resolution of Appropriation in the amount of $80,000
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b. Glendale Water and Power, re: Scholl Canyon Landfill Biogas Renewable Generation Project – REPORT
1. Resolution dispensing with competitive bidding and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a Full Notice To Proceed (FNTP) to Western Energy Systems, a division of Pen Power Group, LLC (WES) for the sale of Power Island Major Equipment (PIME) and services for the Biogas Renewable Generation Project and authorizing the execution of Amendment No. 1 with WES’ existing contract with the City relating to the PIME, in the not-to-exceed amount of $19,364,855 plus a Ten percent (10%) contingency in the amount of $1,936,486
2. Motion authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an Engineer-Procure-Construct (EPC) Contract with ACCO Engineered Systems Inc. (ACCO) for the engineering, design and construction of the Biogas Renewable Generation Project at the Scholl Canyon Landfill, in the not-to-exceed amount of $45,800,200, plus a Ten percent (10%) contingency in the amount of $4,580,020
3. Motion authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute an Amendment to Professional Services Agreement (PSA)No. 8000053 with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. (Stantec) to increase the contract amount by $235,000 to provide supplemental professional environmental services for the Scholl Canyon Biogas Renewable Generation Project, for a new contract not to exceed amount of $1,668,582
4. Motion authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a Line Extension Contract with the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), in an amount no to exceed $100,000, for construction of natural gas piping and a meter set assembly related to the Biogas Renewable Generation Project
5. Motion authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute an amendment to the existing Professional Services Agreement (PSA) No. 8001391 with Worley Group, Inc. (Worley) to add the sum of $1,100,000 for Owner’s Engineering and Project management services related to the Biogas Renewable Generation Project, for a new contract not to exceed amount of $2,000,000
6. Resolution of appropriation
[Item 8a] GEC opposes the biogas project.
BIOGAS IS TOO EXPENSIVE. GWP’s original cost estimate was $50 million (including operations and maintenance). But since the Environmental Impact Report was approved on November 30, 2021, this estimate ballooned to $120 million. At the same time, the expected power dropped from 12 to 11 MW. And this does not include maintenance downtime. The cost vs. energy production of the biogas plant brings into serious question whether this project is truly a productive use of Glendale’s fiscal resources, especially because the landfill is closing and the methane will reduce over time.
SOLAR IS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. For lower cost and cleaner energy, GEC recommends the City install solar and batteries, starting on previously closed portions of the landfill. The degradation of power from photovoltaic panels is far less than landfill gas. They will produce more power longer. And there are NO EMISSIONS FROM SOLAR. Solar and batteries are a long-term, more robust solution to Glendale’s power needs, whereas the biogas plant will have limited productivity with a shorter lifespan.
PUT SOLAR & STORAGE FIRST. GEC’s position is to prioritize solar and storage. Before the city considers investing $70 million in a biogas plant, and then another $50 million in operation and maintenance, there must be a serious investment plan for solar in our city, including on city properties and on residential and business rooftops, and with a solar array on closed portions of the landfill. Glendale should not squander our limited fiscal resources on a biogas plant and drain the coffers before pursuing solar.
Please thank our City Council members for their vote to close the landfill in 2025 when the fill level is reached, and for the intensive four months of informational meetings and tours. But please tell City Council members to oppose this project and support the Glendale Solar Solution and other local solar first.
Many in the community have additional concerns about cost and environmental impacts. Click here to read more.
Call In when the item is up: (818) 937-8100
Email council members in advance:
Mayor Ardy Kassakhian: AKassakhian@GlendaleCA.gov
Elen Asatryan: EAsatryan@glendaleca.gov
Dan Brotman: DBrotman@Glendaleca.gov
Paula Devine: PDevine@glendaleca.gov
Ara Najarian: ANajarian@glendaleca.gov
Note – Scheduling changes can and do occur. We try to keep this post updated if things change, but please consult the city website for official agendas.
