PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Despite the waste-to-energy company filing for bankruptcy, the city will be entering into a three-year agreement with Community Eco Power LLC.

 

The City Council approved an amended contract with CEP after discussions under executive session.

 

"It is in the city's best interest to have a contract with CEP because, for obvious reasons, to continue to provide a service," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said to iBerkshires on Thursday.

 

"At the same time, CEP relies on the work like contracts with Pittsfield and other communities to be able to be a viable business, and that plays a role in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy, so we need to ensure that from both sides we're benefiting from this agreement."

 

Within the bond is an option to extend for two additional 24-month terms.

 

The agreement's alterations included an extended year-long termination clause and a more accessible four-day drop-off schedule.

 

CEP had originally proposed a requirement of 150 days in advance to notify the city before shutting down or discontinuing service and a three-day schedule during which the facility would be open to residents.

 

In June, the council tabled a request to enter into a new agreement with the company because of concern over the 150-day termination clause. The councilors requested the 150-day requirement be amended to one year, or 365 days, to protect the city.

 

Members of the council also expressed concern for the Hubbard Avenue facility's three-day schedule of Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday for residents to access the facility.

 

Pittsfield used to have a nearly weeklong drop-off schedule that was reduced to one day during the COVID-19 pandemic, was brought up to three days, and will now be increased to four days.

 

Morales said there was support for the amended contract across the board from the council.  

 

"Everyone understands the need for this contract to be signed," he added. "And everyone was appreciative of the effort we made to get the first two comments that were originally placed on our table back to CEP accepted by CEP."

 

The documents for the agreement will be signed as soon as they are transferred back to Mayor Linda Tyer from the council.

 

CEP's Pittsfield plant has been in operation since 1981 and processes 240 tons of solid waste daily by converting it into steam.  

 

The company bought the facility from Covanta Pittsfield LLC in 2019.

 

The Hubbard Avenue facility produces 34,000 pounds of steam an hour and 861 kilowatts for electricity which are used to power in-house operations.

 

It also sells steam to Crane & Company to offset the use of oil.