NORTH CAROLINA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Meeting Date: 1/25/2010
AGENDA #7b
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TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL NORTH CAROLINA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY |
Meeting Date: 1/25/2010 |
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| Title of Agenda Item:
Energy Strategy for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. (R-6) |
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| Background:
The Town of Chapel Hill is a formula community under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, a program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Through this grant opportunity, the Town is eligible to receive as much as $554,900 in block grant funding. Before receiving all funding, participating jurisdictions are required to develop an energy strategy: a plan designed to detail programs and projects that will—among other objectives—reduce fossil fuel-based energy consumption in the recipient’s jurisdiction. The Town has until January 28, 2010 to submit a strategy for DOE review, and Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. has assisted the Town with the development of this strategy. Over the last several months, the staff and Clean Energy Solutions have met with the Sustainability Committee the Sustainability, Energy and Environment (SEE) Council subcommittee to review and discuss possible activities to pursue as part of this grant opportunity. At the January 15, 2010 SEE Committee meeting, the Council subcommittee generated a recommendation for the Council's consideration,which includes two primary activities that could serve as the main components of the Town's energy strategy. These activities center on upgrades to public facilities and a program to address residential financing and incentives for efficiency and conservation improvements. This recommendation appears in the attached memorandum from the SEE Committee. |
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| Fiscal Note: At the November 9, 2009 Council Business Meeting, the Council enacted an ordinance to establish a budget for the first activity under this grant—the development of an energy strategy. Once the Energy Strategy is approved by the DOE and additional funding becomes available, the budget for this grant will need to be adjusted accordingly. | |||
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| Recommendations: That the Council adopt the attached resolution to approve the activities proposed for the Town’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, and to allow the Town Manager or his designee to fulfill all the requirements necessary to apply for and receive all eligible funding under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. | |||
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| ATTACHMENTS: Viewing attachments may require Adobe Acrobat. |
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| SEE Committee Memorandum | |||
| Resolution | |||
| January 15, 2010 Presentation to SEE Committee | |||
| Committee Comments | |||