WARREN, Ark. – In a move towards cost-saving and sustainability, the City of Warren has announced its plans to use Scenic Hill Solar to establish and oversee the construction of a solar power plant for the City of Warren. The potential new-plant would power all municipal facilities, including the Warren Municipal Building and the city’s Emergency Services Center, with clean and renewable energy.
While not finalized yet, the solar power plant initiative is set to extend its impact beyond just municipal buildings, with plans to include water and sewer facilities, covering pumps and various structures.
One distinctive aspect of this partnership is the funding model chosen by the City of Warren. The entire cost of establishing and maintaining the solar power plant will be covered through electrical cost savings. By leveraging the long-term benefits of solar energy, the city aims to create a sustainable source of power that pays for itself over time. This innovative financing strategy ensures that there will be no up-front costs for the municipal government, a move that aligns both economic and environmental interests.
Furthermore, the city has emphasized that the solar power generated by the plant will exclusively serve municipal facilities, such as government buildings and emergency services centers. This restriction is mandated by law, preventing the plant from catering to private residences or businesses. However, the city assures taxpayers that the project’s primary goal is to enhance city services, indirectly benefiting them through improved efficiency, reliability, and reduced operational costs.
A final contract from from Scenic Hill solar has been received by the City of Warren, but will be reviewed by legal counsel before any final approval.
The following press release was sent out Wednesday by the City of Warren Mayor Gregg Reep:
The Warren City Council has voted to select Scenic Hill Solar to assist the city to construct and manage a solar power plant to provide electricity to all city facilities such as the Warren Municipal Building and the city’s Emergency Services Center. This could include a plant for all water/sewer facilities such as pumps and buildings.
The plant will belong to the city of Warren and will be paid for by electrical cost savings. There will be no up-front cost to municipal government.
The plant by law will not be allowed to serve private residences or businesses but will benefit taxpayers by benefiting city services.