INVESTING IN LOCAL
Energy-Saving Programs
by Megan Cutter
energy and renewal resources and helping communities find new routes to sustainability. Federal funding is finally being disbursed to states around the country, and North Carolina is being greatly impacted. Starting in the fall of 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy began a three year plan to invest more than $200 million to expand and ac- celerate the development of solar and water technologies, and sustainable and renewable energy sources. Specific initiatives include Photo-
O
voltaic Manufacturing Initiative, Pho- tovoltaic Supply Chain Development, National Administrator of the Solar Instructor Training Network, and Marine and Hydrokinetic Technologies (MHK). These funding opportunities will be distributed according to the initiatives of each program, and will help solar and water industries overcome techni- cal barriers, discover new technologies and provide support for clean energy jobs during the years to come. In addition, North Carolina began distributing more than $7.2 million to be invested in local renewable energy projects through local government agencies and another $6.3 million to public schools and community colleg- es. These funds were received through the Federal Recovery Act in 2009, and the second phase will be implemented in June of 2010. One program provides grants to schools, businesses or organi- zations to pay for energy assessments and audits, a requirement in order to request funds for additional energy upgrades. Seth Effron of the Depart- ment of Commerce comments, “The North Carolina Department of Com- merce received and reviewed over 230 submitted proposals with another 245 agencies requesting technical assistance
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NA Triangle
www.natriangle.com
ver the past year federal of- ficials have talked about creat- ing jobs, providing alternative
with electrical audits and technical as- sistance.”
At the beginning of the year, a “Main Street Initiative” provided $330,000 in the Federal Recovery Act funds to boost economic development in small towns, including rural areas. Main Street projects were approved for Albemarle, Davidson, Edenton, Hen- dersonville, Morganton, Newton, and
$755,148 were awarded to Henderson County, the Town of Dallas, Iredell- Statesville schools, Rowan-Salisbury schools, Roanoke Rapids schools and Richmond Community College in North Carolina. Projects include replacement of inefficient lighting with energy-sav- ing lighting, replacement of outdated lighting fixtures, and replacement of Direct Digital Control Systems to more accurately control heating and cooling systems. These projects will provide long-term energy savings and create local jobs. Additional distributions of Federal Recovery Act funds will be made over the coming year as addition- al applications for funds are reviewed. Workshops will be available throughout the year to provide information on how to apply for Federal Recovery Grant funds. In April the 6th North Carolina Sustainable Energy Conference was held, and presentations can be found on their website at
www.energync.net Other resources on the website include a sample energy plan, audit checklist, blank audit form, a request for technical assistance application and other useful information.
Spruce Pine. Additional towns may be eligible for “Main Street Initiative” funding as applications are continuing to be considered. At the beginning of 2010, more than $860,700 in federal Recovery Act funding for energy ef- ficiency grants were approved. The first six grants were awarded to Buncombe County schools, Vance-Granville Com- munity College, Burgaw, Elkin, Morgan- ton and Valdese, replacing light fixtures, fitting a waste water treatment plant with energy-saving equipment, upgrad- ing air and heating systems, among other sustainability projects. In February, six grants totaling
energy star Appliance replacement and rebate Program soars
The first phase of the North Caro- lina Energy Star Appliance Replace- ment and Rebate Program came to a close with about $7 million or 87% of funds distributed in rebates for the purchase of more than 54,000 qualified appliances. This program was funded through the Federal Recovery Act and was beneficial for both consumers and retailers. In April, more than 430 retail locations in 146 North Carolina towns registered to participate in the Energy Star Appliance Program, each providing a 15% rebate to consumers purchasing
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