Western North Carolina local governments can start saving energy and resources now by getting started with several no-cost energy planning services offered by Waste Reduction Partners (WRP).  These services are provided through WRP’s partnership in the Building the WNC Clean Energy Economy Project.

Get started saving energy today
by contacting Patrick Harper or
Terry Albrecht at 828-251-6622

Services include basic energy planning, energy audits, and walk-through assessments for government facilities. In addition, WRP can offer fleet assessments and technical assistance if you are considering alternative fuels or alternative vehicles for your fleet.

Please contact Patrick Harper or Terry Albrecht, PE at 828-251-6622 for more information and to learn how to get started saving energy and money today. A WRP staff or volunteer is also available to attend local government council, board, or other meetings to explain possible collaborations and services.

This opportunity is available to the local governments in the following western North Carolina Counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Davie, Forsyth, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, & Yancey.

Why Pursue Energy Planning, Audits, and Assessments?

• Cost savings for local governments during difficult economic times
• Energy savings help to reduce energy demand
• Current grants provide implementation dollars. For example:
  • State Energy Office – NC Main Street Energy Grant Round II, awards up to $200K expected (Deadline 8/6/10)
  • State Energy Office – Energy in Governmental Buildings, $100K- $500K awards expected (Deadline 8/10/10)
  • State Energy Office - RFP for alternative fuel refilling/charging stations and alternative fuel/advanced vehicle technology products (Deadline 8/11/10)
  • State Energy Office – RFP for Transportation projects from municipalities and counties that increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption (Deadline 8/27/10)
  • ARC Energy Planning and Implementation grant (Deadline 8/31/10)
  • Other opportunities may be available for local governments prepared with energy literacy and planning components underway – click here for a link of other energy -related opportunities
• Future grants include:
  • RFP for State-wide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Lending Program, Program Administrator or Partner Lending Institution
• Waste Reduction Partners has experience in writing and facilitating the adoption of municipal and county based energy plans. During 2009 and 2010, WRP statewide staff assisted 41 clients, including county and municipal governments, K-12 schools, community colleges and Main Street Communities to acquire $4.63 million in energy project funding. The funding sources included the ARRA energy funding through the State Energy Office, the Environmental Protection Agency, and energy efficiency rebates from Progress Energy and Duke Energy.
• All services are nonregulatory and confidential.

Follow-up Energy Study Proves Success

• WRP Special Projects Coordinator, Wayne Rumble, conducted a follow-up study of previous WRP clients who received energy efficiency assessments in late 2007. From a sample of 30 clients, 19 responding clients reported an average implementation rate of 46 percent of the recommended energy efficiency measures developed by WRP. An increase was noted in the implementation rate for public and institutional sectors over previous years. Top energy conservation measures implemented were 1) improve HVAC maintenance, 2) repair compressed air leaks, 3) upgrade lighting to T-8 lamps with electronic ballasts, 4) improvements to building envelope, 5) turn off unnecessary lighting, including delamping vending machines.