Covered by Documenters Susan Porter and Marvetta Rutherford
Electric swap: The Cleveland Board of Control found its money-saving groove last week. Just ahead of a summer hike in FirstEnergy’s electricity rates, the board approved a six-month energy-provider swap. The resolution, which was not on the agenda, allows the city to replace some of its FirstEnergy accounts – including those for its airports – with WGL Energy Services Inc. The change could save the city $4 million to $5 million overall, a city official said.
Robotics Season: ​​The board also approved two contracts for summer experiential learning programs for students. One will include robotics. A city official said roughly 1,000 participants are expected. The programs are set to cost no more than about $95,000 total.
The Board of Control was not the only government agency dealing with utilities last week. City Council held public hearings about the city joining an electric aggregator. Documenter Gennifer Harding-Gosnell shared some highlights. Meanwhile, council’s Utilities Committee paused a plan to develop citywide broadband internet. Documenter Dan McLaughlin tracked that conversation.
Read the Twitter thread by Documenter Marvetta Rutherford: