We’re just starting to figure out how to spend $20.9 million in federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation dollars. But, before that money can go out to communities around the state, North Carolinians need to have their say, too. That is why I’ve been working with our state Office of Economic Recovery and Investment to gather suggestions and comments from all over state. Before our plan is finalized and sent to the federal Department of Energy for approval, we want know from those in our communities what they see as the priorities. You can see a draft of the plan and offer comments on the web at: www.ncrecovery.gov/calendar/publicMeetings.aspx
Sixty percent of the $20.9 million will be directed, through a competitive proposal process, to smaller, non-designated government agencies while 34 percent will be distributed through a similar competitive proposal process, to public schools, community colleges and other local public agencies.
We are focused on four critical areas to create jobs and get more North Carolinians back to work while making important upgrades that will save energy and tax dollars. Those areas are:
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy for buildings: $7.15 million for “non-designated” cities and counties; $7.15 million to public schools, community colleges and other local public agencies.
- Technical assistance to communities and agencies that need it: $450,000 to help local agencies develop strategic energy plans or obtain preliminary energy surveys.
- Energy conservation programs in city or county transportation: $2.5 million to assist programs that will save energy used in transportation, such as replacing older traffic signals and street lights with more energy efficient lighting.
- Greater use of methane and greenhouse gas technologies: $2.5 million to put into place projects that seek to, for example, use methane captured from landfills owned or operated by local governments to generate electricity or to be used as a fuel source.
The $20.9 million is part of $58 million in federal Recovery grant funds that is being distributed directly to cities, counties and tribes in North Carolina. Thirty-two cities, counties and the Cherokee Indians, have been designated to receive $37.1 million.
Want to know more? Visit the State Energy Office’s web site at: www.energync.net