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Congratulations to NC GreenPower's newest 100% offset sponsor, winner of the Owner Libbie Hough’s example demonstrates that sole proprietors can also practice triple bottom line practices. Hough has taken steps to reduce water consumption, such as collecting rain water in cisterns, using drip irrigation, and growing drought tolerant plants. She has reduced energy use by relying on natural light, carefully managing her thermostat, and purchasing Energy Star appliances. In addition, she supports renewable energy by purchasing renewable energy credits from NC GreenPower - enough to offset 100% of her office electricity usage! In order to reduce her transportation impact, Hough purchased a fuel efficient vehicle and telecommutes with contractors as much as possible. She carefully recycles and has opted in to online bill pay systems that eliminate the need for printing. Hough is also heavily involved in the local community and serves on two boards – the Mental Health America of the Triangle and the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce. She sponsors local nonprofit events and volunteers with community organizations. She is also a speaker for the American Heart Association and speaks to student groups in the Orange County School district in Orange County, NC. Finally, Hough communicates all her efforts via her website in order to help educate and inspire others to do the same. For more information on Communication Matters, visit their website at: www.cmatters.org -----------------------------------------------------------------
The Institute for Sustainable Development has announced the winners of the 2011 Green Plus North American Sustainable Enterprise Awards. The Awards are given to smaller enterprises in the U.S. for excellence in triple bottom line sustainability, are presented annually at the NC Research Triangle Park Foundation by GlaxoSmithKline. Finalists are chosen for the example they set in balancing business, community, and environmental best practices, for their innovation in sustainability and their efforts to teach their communities and their peers about the topic. ------------------------------- <BACK TO TOP OF PAGE> -------------------------------
March 16, 2011 - Smart Grid Workshop, North Carolina. A Process for Progress: The Smart Grid Investment Grant Program and Economic Development. Hosted by NC A&T State University's Center for Energy Research and Technology (CERT), Proximity Hotel, Greensboro. Click here for more information and to register. April 26-27, 2011 - 8th Annual Sustainable Energy Conference hosted by the NC Energy Office at the McKimmon Center (NC State University), Raleigh. Click here for more information. May 17-21, 2011 - SOLAR 2011 hosted by the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) in partnership with NCSEA at the Raleigh Convention Center. Click here for more information. July 18-21, 2011 - Plug-In 2011 locally organized by Electric Power Research Institute, Progress Energy and Duke Energy in partnership with the Raleigh Convention Center. Click here for more information.
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N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources: State Study Shows Strong Growth in Recycling Jobs RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources released a study in January showing strong growth in recycling jobs in the state despite the effects of the recent recession. The research, conducted by DENR’s Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach, is the latest in a string of studies demonstrating the ongoing contribution of recycling to the state’s economic growth. “We are pleased to see that recycling remains a dynamic source of green jobs in North Carolina,” said DENR Secretary Dee Freeman. “The study shows that recycling not only helps us reduce our dependence on landfills, save energy and prevent pollution, but that it also boosts the economy at a critical time.” The study’s major findings include: There are currently almost 15,200 private sector recycling-related jobs in North Carolina, private sector recycling jobs have increased 4.8 percent since 2008 and the total annual payroll for North Carolina recycling businesses is $395 million. A copy of the study can be found online at http://www.p2pays.org/ref/53/52107.pdf. Learn more about NC DENR on their social media sites: Facebook and Twitter ______________________________ NC GreenPower interns Tracy and Emily spend their Spring Break in New Orleans, rebuilding homes during the 2011 Gulf Coast Team RetreatNEW ORLEANS – Read their blog: "Today was the first time the Alternative Service Break (ASB) Gulf Coast team for 2011, consisting of 13 students, the student leader, and two co-advisors, spent a significant amount of time together, and it was a great team-building day in advance of our trip from March 5-13, 2011 to New Orleans to do post-Katrina Habitat for Humanity work..." Continue reading online about CSLEPS, their team retreat and their wild safari! ______________________________ New Biodiesel Station Now Open at the Saxapahaw General Store SAXAPAHAW– Drivers can now fill up on clean, renewable fuel produced in Pittsboro at the newest Piedmont Biofuels tank location at the Saxapahaw General Store. The fuel tank was purchased with support from the Carolina Blue Skies Initiative, in partnership with Triangle J Council of Governments, EERE Clean Cities, and the US Department of Energy. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from vegetable oil or animal fats that is easily blended with petroleum diesel. It is typically blended in a 20/80 ration, referred to as B20 or 20% biodiesel, 80% petro diesel. Biodiesel results in significantly lower emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, toxic contaminants, sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons, visible smoke, and noxious odors than petroleum diesel. The Carolina Blue Skies initiative plans to expand alternative fuel infrastructure in North Carolina by nearly 30%. The initiative will benefit North Carolina by lowering harmful emissions while creating local jobs. Find out more online about Carolina Blue Skies & Green Jobs Initiative and the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition. ______________________________ Western North Carolina Green Building Council Launches Energy Retrofit Loan Program ASHEVILLE – Neighbor Saves is an innovative program aimed at empowering participants to Save Energy, Save Money, Improve Comfort and Build Community in a team based (not just neighbors), fun environment. Participants get trained by and complete work on each others' homes with an experienced supervisor. 100% Financing for projects is available through Self-Help Credit Union for qualifying participants. Read more about the program on their website and check out their You Tube video about Neighbor Saves! WNCGBC is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote environmentally sustainable and health conscious building practices through community education. ______________________________ Central Carolina Community College and N.C. Solar Center Invites Public to a Day of Solar Activities PITTSBORO – Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) is hosting a day of solar activities and workshops. The event is collaboration between CCCC and the N.C. Solar Center at N.C. State University, through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Instructor Training Network program. WHERE: Library, Central Carolina Community College-Pittsboro Campus, 764 West Street, Pittsboro Register online or contact Lyra Rakusin at lyra_rakusin@ncsu.edu or Laura Lauffer llauf177@cccc.edu. ______________________________ Gold and Silver STARS for Local University's Sustainability Efforts CHAPEL HILL & DURHAM – Last month, UNC Chapel Hill joined charter campuses across the country in submitting its first AASHE STARS report, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). As the first comprehensive, objective, and transparent assessment of campus-wide sustainability, STARS enables campuses to measure their current sustainability initiatives and to track progress over time. The Sustainability Office is proud to announce that UNC Chapel Hill has earned a silver rating. Duke University's efforts toward environmental sustainability have been rated gold by a new rating system from AASHE. Like the LEED system for buildings, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) gives ratings of Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Ratings are from an evaluation of three main categories – Curriculum and Research; Operations; and Planning, Administration and Engagement. STARS organizers say the new ratings system has been developed by the universities and colleges themselves to be a more comprehensive method for assessing sustainable policies. The reports are publicly available on the AASHE STARS website. For more information about sustainability-related programs, practices, and organizations at UNC Chapel Hill, please visit the Sustainability Office's website at http://sustainability.unc.edu/. To read more about Duke University's environmental stewardship and sustainability on campus, in their medical institutions, and in the larger community, go online to http://sustainability.duke.edu/index.php. ______________________________
______________________________ NC State University to Host North Carolina's Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, March 19 RALEIGH –The public is invited to participate in North Carolina’s Arbor Day Celebration to be held at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh, March 19, 2011, 9am to 2pm. Exhibitors from a wide variety of forest-related organizations will be on site in the Farmers Building to share information and materials about how trees heighten our quality of life. In addition to exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for youth, the Triangle Chapter of the Society of American Foresters will be giving away 1000 redbud seedlings. Youth will also be able to “adopt” a plant to take home. NC State University faculty, staff, and students will provide information on educational and career opportunities in forestry and environmental resources. Even Smokey Bear plans to join the celebration! For more information on this event, visit go.ncsu.edu/arborday2011. ______________________________ Offshore Energy Panel Reschedules Outreach Sessions on Coastal Issues RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue’s Scientific Advisory Panel on Offshore Energy has rescheduled, for Thursday March 10 in Morehead City and Thursday March 24 in Manteo, the two public outreach sessions that were canceled in January due to adverse weather conditions. The panel is conducting the sessions as part of its mission to evaluate offshore energy options and recommend to the governor a comprehensive offshore energy strategy. The public meetings will enable members of the panel to hear, first-hand, from the residents, businesses and community leaders in coastal areas about their views and concerns in connection with offshore energy. The public meeting schedule is:
A copy of the executive order creating the panel can be found online. More background about the panel and offshore energy issues is online at: http://www.energync.net/GSP-OffshoreEnergy.html
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Duke Energy wants to help our customers save energy and money. We're giving eligible customers free compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to jump-start their savings. CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Saving energy and money can be as easy as changing a light bulb. One of the easiest ways to lower your energy bill is by replacing your standard bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). We’re committed to helping you use energy wisely. That’s why we’re giving eligible customers free CFLs to boost your home’s energy efficiency. To see how many bulbs you qualify for, complete our quick and easy sign-up process and receive your CFLs in four to six weeks at your home. Click here to order now! An ENERGY STAR® qualified CFL saves about $30 over its lifetime in energy costs. Replace your home’s six most frequently used bulbs with CFLs and watch your savings grow to $180 over the lifetime of the bulbs. *Free CFLs must be installed at the service location of the Duke Energy account. Eligibility for FREE energy-saving light bulbs: Read the eligibility rules for more information. ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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A new milestone: We have more than 500 Renewable Energy project agreements
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