ATTACHMENT C- REQUIRED CONTRACT AGREEMENT

                                                                                               

cOUNTERpARTY

and

 

power authority of the state of new york

 

 

Renewable Energy Attribute Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into this ____day of ___________ 200x, by and between COUNTERPARTY, with a principal place of business at FULL ADDRESS (“Seller”), and Power Authority of the State of New York, a corporate municipal instrumentality of the State of New York, with a principal place of business at 30 South Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12207 (“NYPA”). Hereinafter, Seller and NYPA shall each be referred to individually as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties”.

WHEREAS, Seller has access to “Renewable Energy Attributes” associated with “Renewable Energy Source(s)”; and

WHEREAS, NYPA provides electricity to certain governmental customers located in and about the New York City area; and

WHEREAS, such customers have requested NYPA to procure for them Renewable Energy Attributes; and

WHEREAS, to assist its customers, NYPA desires to purchase Renewable Energy Attributes from Seller for resale to its customers, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

Definitions

Conversion Transaction.”  This Agreement references the Environmental Disclosure Rules and Procedures for Conversion Transactions set forth by the New York State Department of Public Service (“NYS PSC”).  A  Conversion Transaction documents the sale of qualifying renewable energy into the NYISO Spot Market by an eligible generating facility and the purchase from the NYISO Spot Market of a like amount of energy by an eligible entity during the same six month settlement period.  Conversion Transaction procedures are described in more detail on the Department of Public Service website at: http://www.dps.state.ny.us/Final_Rules_and_ProceduresCTnov5.htm.

 

“EO 111” means the Executive Order signed June 10, 2001 by Governor Pataki, and continued by Governor Spitzer on January 1, 2007. EO 111 requires, among other things, that New York State agencies and other affected entities must seek to increase their purchases of energy generated from Renewable Sources so that by 2005, 10% of their energy requirements will be served by Renewable Sources, increasing to 20% by 2010.

 

NYISO” means New York Independent System Operator.

 

NEPOOL” means the Independent System Operator New England

 

NEPOOL Generation Information System” means the rules and procedures as defined by NEPOOL for the tracking, monitoring, exporting, and creation of renewable energy certificates (“NE-GIS”).  The NE-GIS includes a generation information database and certificate system operated by the New England Power Pool that accounts for generation Renewable Energy Attributes of electrical energy. 

 

“Renewable Energy Attributes” means any and all credits (including renewable energy credits), benefits, emissions reductions, offsets and allowances of any nature whatsoever and however entitled, attributable to a Renewable Generator, relating to the quantity  of megawatt hours (MWh) delivered by such Renewable Generator, including:  (i) any avoided emissions of pollutants to the air, soil or water such as sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), other pollutants or particulates that are now or may in the future be regulated under the pollution control laws of the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof; (ii) any avoided emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CHI) and any other greenhouse gases (GHGs) that have been determined by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Northeast Governors Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or other standard-setting entity with respect to any relevant market to contribute to the actual or potential threat of altering the Earth’s climate by trapping heat in the atmosphere; and (iii) all reporting rights to these avoided emissions, including those rights known as “Green Tag Reporting Rights” that may be available from a legally-constituted or designated authority pursuant to which the purchaser may be entitled to report the ownership of accumulated usage of energy in compliance with Federal or state law, if applicable, and to a Federal or state agency or any other party at such purchaser’s discretion, and include without limitation those rights accruing under Section 1605(b) of The Energy Policy Act of 1992 and any present or future Federal, state, or local law, regulation or bill, and any international or foreign emissions trading program.  The definition of “Renewable Energy Attributes” does not include the Federal renewable electricity production credit, as provided in 26 U.S.C.§ 45, or any successor thereto.

 

Renewable Energy Credits” or “RECs” means the title to and claim for all the Renewable Energy Attributes associated with one (1) megawatt hour (MWh) of generation from a Renewable Energy Source. Renewable Energy Credits are also referred to as “Green Tags.”

 

Renewable Energy Source” means one of the sources of energy described in EO 111, namely: wind, solar thermal, photovoltaics, sustainably managed biomass, tidal, geothermal, methane waste and fuel cells. Sustainably managed biomass shall include all wood resources, with the exception of contaminated waste wood, and shall exclude utility scale facilities that co-fire with coal.  For purposes of this Agreement, such resource must be eligible for Conversion Transaction treatment. 

“Renewable Generator” means an energy generating facility that generates electricity through the use of a fuel source and technology that meets the requirements of a Renewable Energy Source.

 

1.         Purchase and Sale of Renewable Energy Attributes   

 

            (a)        Seller agrees to sell to NYPA and NYPA agrees to purchase from Seller Renewable Energy Attributes derived from Renewable Energy Source(s) in the quantities, for the price, and according to the schedule set forth on Exhibit A

            (b)        NYPA shall have the exclusive, unencumbered, undiluted and irrevocable legal and contractual right to own, assign, sell or otherwise dispose of all Renewable Energy Attributes purchased hereunder.

2.         Price

 

            (a)        The purchase price shall include all customs duties and charges and be net, F.O.B. destination any point in NYISO’s territory. The price shall be fixed firm and shall represent only the cost of the procurement of the Renewable Energy Attributes. The price is to be in dollars per MWh associated with any transaction and is NOT to include charges for energy or other related capacity, transmission or ancillary services.

 

            (b)        All Renewable Energy Credits, to the extent such credits exist or arise, resulting from or associated with the Renewable Energy Attributes purchased hereunder, shall be provided to NYPA.

 

            (c)        Seller’s obligation to provide Renewable Energy Attributes is on a reasonable commercial best efforts basis.  Seller shall not be liable for damages if, notwithstanding its reasonable commercial best efforts, it fails to deliver all the Renewable Energy Attributes set forth on Exhibit A.  However, with respect to any instance when Seller fails to deliver all the Renewable Energy Attributes set forth on Exhibit A, Seller shall give NYPA notice thereof at least six months prior to the applicable Conversion Transaction Date shown in Exhibit A. 

 

3.         Delivery

 

The electrical output equivalent to that of the Renewable Generator(s) associated with the Renewable Energy Attributes provided hereunder will be delivered into the Spot Market administered by the NYISO.  In a separate Conversion Transaction, the Renewable Energy Attributes will be transferred to NYPA. 

 

4.         Representation and Warranty

            Seller represents and warrants that it has the exclusive right to provide the Renewable Energy Attributes to be provided to NYPA under this Agreement; that it has the right to arrange the transfer of ownership of such Renewable Energy Attributes to NYPA free and clear of all claims, liens, security interests and encumbrances; and that after transfer of ownership to NYPA, NYPA shall have the unrestricted right to transfer ownership of the Renewable Energy Attributes to a third party.   

 

5.         Verification of Rights to Renewable Energy Attributes

            Throughout the term of this Agreement, Seller shall be required to certify and verify delivery of all rights to the Renewable Energy Attributes contracted for hereunder as follows:

            i.          Each invoice submitted and requesting payment for the delivery of the rights to Renewable Energy Attributes pursuant to this Agreement shall be accompanied by a certification substantially in the form included in Exhibit B from Seller which will identify the number and vintage of all Renewable Energy Attributes sold to NYPA as set forth in such invoice. The certification shall be accompanied by a representation and warranty substantially in the form included in Exhibit B to the invoiced Renewable Energy Attributes.

 

            ii.          In the event the NYS PSC solely, or in conjunction with others, creates, sanctions, adopts or begins participation in a Generation Tracking System in the New York Control Area (“NYCA”) during the term of this Agreement, each REC associated with each applicable Attribute purchased hereunder must be transferred to an account designated by NYPA.  

 

 

            iii.         For Renewable Energy Attributes provided hereunder from Renewable Generator(s) located outside the New York Control Area, but located in a control area with compatible environmental attribute accounting system such as NE-GIS, Seller shall provide verification and transfer to NYPA through the export provisions of NE-GIS and New York Public Service Commission rules for Conversion Transaction(s).

 

6.         Invoicing

            Seller shall submit its invoice(s) for payment to NYPA at the address set forth below.  Invoices shall be payable by NYPA in accordance with the provisions of its Prompt Payment Policy (Appendix 1) attached hereto.  NYPA shall not be required to pay Seller unless and until NYPA has received the certification(s) described in Section 5(i) above.

 

The original and two (2) copies of all invoices shall be submitted to:

 

New York Power Authority

P.O. Box 437

White Plains, NY  10602-0437

Attn:  Accounts Payable

Copy: _____________________

 

All invoices shall reference Agreement No. _____

 

                        Seller shall not invoice NYPA for Renewable Energy Attributes before delivery into the Spot Market administered by the NYISO.  The parties agree that payment may be made by NYPA prior to the actual completion of the Conversion Transaction for the applicable period.  In the event the New York Public Service Commission determines that Seller did not successfully complete Conversion Transactions associated with certifications previously invoiced, Seller shall, within fifteen(15) days of notification, complete Conversion Transactions from a Renewable Energy Source(s) or provide a refund of the invoice amount to NYPA.

 

 

7.         Limitation of Liability    

            NO party shall be responsible to ANother party for incidental, consequential, or special damages of any kind.  The foregoing shall be binding upon any successor in title, assigns and transferees.  EXCEPT as set forth herein, there is no warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or fitness for a particular PURPOSE, and any and all implied warranties are DISCLAIMED.  The PARTIES confirm THAT the express remedies and measures of DAMAGES provided in the agreement satisfy the essential purposes hereof.    

8.         Notices

            All notices which may be given in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by either Party to the other Party by U.S. Certified Mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight courier service.  Notice shall be effective upon receipt.

            Notice given to Seller shall be addressed to:

COUNTERPARTY

ADDRESS

Attn: ______________

Tel: _______________

Fax: _______________

 

Notice given to NYPA shall be addressed to:

            Power Authority of the State of New York

123 Main Street

White Plains, New York 10601

Attn: Jordan Brandeis

Tel: 914-681-6403

Fax:914-390-8156

 

 

9.         Term and Termination

            (a)        This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first written above and, unless extended by mutual agreement of the Parties, shall terminate when the last Attribute(s) scheduled to be sold hereunder are transferred to NYPA. Notwithstanding termination, those obligations intended to survive termination, including but not limited to Sections 1(b), 4, 7, and 12 shall survive termination.

 

            (b)        If either Party defaults in its obligations under this Agreement and such default continues uncured for a period of 15 days after the defaulting Party receives notice of the default, the non-defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to the defaulting Party. Termination shall be effective upon receipt of such notice.

 

10.       Entire Agreement

 

            This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.  All other letters, agreements or communications whatsoever, whether oral or written with respect to the subject matter contained herein are superseded by the Agreement and will be without effect.  Exhibits A and B are incorporated into and form a part of this Agreement. Exhibit C is attached hereto for illustrative purposes only.

 

11.       Governing Law/Venue

 

            This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York without reference to its conflicts of law principles.  Any action at law or in equity, or other judicial proceeding, for the enforcement of this Agreement or any of its provisions must be brought in and maintained only in a State court located in Albany County, New York.

 

     12.       Confidentiality

 

                     Each Party will treat and hold as confidential all of the information received from the other Party that is marked “confidential,” and shall refrain from using any of such confidential information (“Confidential Information”) except in connection with this Agreement undertaken hereunder or except as set forth below.

 

i.          In the event that the Party receiving the information (the “Receiving Party”) is requested or required (by oral question or request for information or documents in any legal proceeding or arbitration, legislative hearing, interrogatory, subpoena, civil investigative demand, or similar process or pursuant to applicable law, rule or regulation, including the New York Freedom of Information Law and the  Open Meeting Law) to disclose any Confidential Information, the Receiving Party will notify the Party which provided the Confidential Information (the “Disclosing Party”) promptly of the request or requirement so that the Disclosing Party may seek an appropriate protective order or waive compliance with the provisions of this Section 12. If, in the absence of a protective order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, the Receiving Party is, on the advice of counsel, required to disclose any Confidential Information to any tribunal or to disclose any Confidential Information to any third party in compliance with any applicable freedom of information or open meeting law or other applicable law or regulation, the Receiving Party may disclose the Confidential Information to such tribunal or such third party; provided, however, that the Receiving Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, at the request of the Disclosing Party and at the Disclosing Party’s cost, an order or other assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such portion of the Confidential Information required to be disclosed as the Disclosing Party shall designate.

 

ii.          The obligations set forth in subsection i above shall not apply to any Confidential Information with respect to which the Receiving Party can demonstrate was:

 

                        (a)        in its possession prior to the time of disclosure by the Disclosing Party and was not, to the knowledge of the Receiving Party, subject to a confidentiality obligation;

 

                        (b)        in the public domain at the time of disclosure, or subsequently became part of the public domain through no fault of the Receiving Party; or

 

                        (c)          received from a third party who, to the Receiving Party’s knowledge, was not subject to a confidentiality agreement or other confidentiality or fiduciary obligation regarding the information.

 

iii.         NYPA may provide Confidential Information to any of its customers intended by NYPA to receive any of the Renewable Energy Renewable Energy Attributes, provided that such customers agree in writing to protect the Confidential Information from unwarranted disclosure to third parties as provided in this Section 12.

 

iv.         Notwithstanding anything set forth herein, nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted as precluding either Party from reporting or disclosing any information with the prior written consent of the Disclosing Party, or to its Affiliates, attorneys, financial advisors and accountants who are assisting either Party in connection with this Agreement or its operations, financing or reporting obligations.

 

IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Parties, agreeing to be bound, have executed this Agreement by their authorized representatives as of the date first set forth above.

 

COUNTERPARTY                           

 

 

 

______________________________________

 

 

 

Name:                                                                                                                         

 

                                                                                                                                   

 

Title:                                                                                                                            

 

 

                                                                                                                                   

 

 

                                                                       

Power Authority of the

State of New York                            

 

 

 

_____________________________________

 

 

Name:                                                                                                                         

 

                                                                                                                                   

 

 

Title: