New Rules for Connecting Large Energy Facilities to Cleveland Public Power

Cleveland is updating how large-scale energy providers and commercial customers connect to the city's electric grid. City Council has passed emergency ordinance 621-2026, which creates a new section in the city's official code to manage how "qualifying facilities" and large industrial or commercial customers link into the Division of Cleveland Public Power’s electric system. This move allows the city to better manage requests from renewable energy providers and large-scale users while ensuring the stability of the local power grid.

According to the 621-2026 -Legislative Summary-PURPA Interconnection, the ordinance was prompted by the need to comply with federal requirements under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA). These federal rules require Cleveland Public Power to respond to interconnection requests from specific qualifying facilities. Under the new Section 523.252, the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to determine eligibility for interconnection agreements and plans. To protect the existing system and its current customers, the ordinance requires that the entities requesting to connect—referred to as "Interconnectors"—are responsible for all costs associated with the process. This includes reimbursement for the city's studies, equipment, and materials. Additionally, the ordinance prohibits these Interconnectors from delivering electric service within Cleveland's municipal boundaries.

The ordinance has officially passed and is now part of the Codified Ordinances of Cleveland. Residents can monitor future updates through the City of Cleveland City Council website regarding how the Division of Cleveland Public Power, which serves approximately 74,000 customers, implements these new interconnection procedures.

Source record

File
621-2026
Type
Emergency Ordinance
Status
Passed
Committee
City Council
Introduced
May 7, 2026

View on Cleveland Legistar

Official documents

Sources