OXFORD, N.C.—The Biofuels Center of North Carolina announced Friday, 14 June 2013, it will award up to $341,000 for projects that address identified areas of critical need related to the acceleration of the renewable fuels industry in western North Carolina. The second round of the 2013 targeted biofuels development funding program—Catalyzing Products in Western North Carolina—utilizes Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) settlement funds that were directed to the Center by the North Carolina General Assembly in the 2012 legislative session. Awards will be determined through a competitive, peer-review process. Expert panels comprised of industry, nonprofits, and state agency representatives will review applications and make funding recommendations for approval by the Biofuels Center Executive Committee. The deadline for bid submissions is Tuesday, 30 July 2013.



Through the targeted funding program, the Center seeks western projects that address specific areas of…

Plug-In Electric Vehicle Plans Guide Readiness Efforts in Western North Carolina and Across the State…

A campus-wide renovation at Appalachian State University — including heating and air conditioning upgrade, lighting improvement and water conservation upgrade — will employ up to 266 workers during a 22-month construction period. The $16.5 million project for the campus in Boone was unanimously approved by the N.C. Council of State on June 4, 2013. It will be financed through a special program, overseen by the N.C. Energy Office in the N.C. Department of Commerce, that allows agencies to pay for energy efficiency projects with guaranteed utility dollar savings.

The project will save taxpayer dollars on utility costs, provide jobs for craftspeople, save energy and allow more precious university funds to go directly toward educating students. The upgrades will be made in nearly two dozen buildings from…

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by Lowell Sachs, Director of Communications



Forget ‘A Day in the Sun’; Gov. McCrory Gives Solar the Whole Month



In a decisive move that demonstrated clear support for renewable energy coming from the highest level of state government, Governor Pat McCrory issued a proclamation establishing June 2013 as Solar Energy Month. The proclamation was made public at a special event including the Governor held at Strata Solar’s Fuquay Solar Farm in Willow Springs, NC on June 4th. While the proclamation itself is a welcomed nod toward the value and importance of solar energy as a source not only of power, but also of revenue, jobs, and investment, the…

Use this link to see the event description and register.  Registration is off to a strong start!

http://energync.org/calendar/ncsea-events/2013/06/19/third-annual-clean-energy-in-the-mountains/

http://energync.org/blog/ncsea-news/2013/05/29/save-the-date-third-annual-clean-energy-in-the-mountains/

Western North Carolina understands that more affordable clean energy technologies contribute to our economy and energy security.  Join the NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) and the Evolve Energy Partnership (EEp) on Wednesday, June 19 for the third annual Clean Energy in the Mountains as we network with those who are bringing clean energy and energy efficiency to the region.

Learn more about Western North Carolina’s innovation and entrepreneurship as well as the efforts and plans to fuel the continued growth in job creation, economic devleopment and business opportunities.  From solar to wind, geothermal, biomass, high-performance building, electric vehicles and smart grid, Western North Carolina has…

Deadline: 6/13/2013

Agency: National Science Foundation

Program: Small Business Technology Transfer Program Phase I Solicitation FY-2014  (STTR) 

Description: The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program stimulates technological innovation in the private sector by strengthening the role of small business concerns in meeting Federal research and development needs, increasing the commercial application of federally supported research results, and fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses. The STTR Program requires researchers at universities and other non-profit research institutions to play a significant intellectual role in the conduct of each STTR project. These researchers, by joining forces with a small company, can spin-off their commercially promising ideas while they remain primarily employed at the research institution. Proposals should…

HB484 establishes permitting program for siting and operation of wind projects and identifies NCDENR as state permitting agency.

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