Item 7- RCA: Landfill Solar — original pdf

Backup

Item 7 Posting Language ..Title Authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with UPower Energy LLC, for up to 8 megawatts of electricity from a utility-scale solar facility to be located at the closed City of Austin FM 812 Landfill, in an estimated amount up to $1,500,000 per year, for a term up to 25 years, for a total estimated amount of up to $37,500,000. Funding: $1,500,000 is contingent upon approval of the Proposed Operating Budget of Austin Energy. ..De Lead Department Austin Energy Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $1,500,000 is contingent upon approval of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget of Austin Energy. Prior Council Action: For More Information: Amy Everhart, Director, Local Government Issues (512) 322-6087; Pat Sweeney, Interim Vice President, Market Operations and Resource Planning (512) 322-6183 Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: April 13, 2026- To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. Additional Backup Information: Working in conjunction with Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), Austin Energy issued a Request for Proposals in October 2025 for utility scale solar power to be located at the closed City of Austin FM 812 Landfill. Offers resulting from the solicitation provided Austin Energy with competitively priced options for a power purchase agreement and the opportunity to progress toward its local solar capacity goal in the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035. In addition, as a local resource, the agreement will provide wholesale price risk mitigation to the Austin Energy Load Zone. The FM 812 Landfill began operations in the 1960’s. The facility originally operated as a Type I landfill, accepting municipal solid waste until the opening of the Austin Bergstrom International Airport in May 1999. The airport is approximately one mile north-northwest of the landfill. Between 1999 and 2009, the landfill operated as a Type IV landfill, accepting only certain types of waste such as brush and construction debris. In April 2009, the landfill filed a Final Closure Plan with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and commenced construction of a final cover system to cover the former landfill space while providing adequate stormwater drainage of the site. ARR’s Zero Waste Comprehensive plan includes a long-term goal to identify alternative uses for the FM812 landfill, such as renewable energy generation. A closed landfill is a candidate for ground-mounted solar for practical and environmental reasons. The land is generally large, open and already cleared yet otherwise difficult to use. Solar provides a flexible, compatible and low-impact solution that converts the site into a clean energy asset. This first of its kind project in Austin is expected to be completed and operational no later than 2028. Additionally, this 8 MW landfill solar facility will be the largest single site solar installation in the City of Austin.