NCSEA News

BOONE – The increasing price of diesel fuel, the need to reduce carbon emissions, and the high cost for railway electrification require alternatives to diesel and electric trains. The long-term solution to these challenges is the development of hydrogen-based propulsion system for railways.

In partnership with Appalachian State University’s Energy Center, the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education will host the…

The Harvard Business Review looks at smart marketing for green products: "When you target customers, it helps to know if they're "dark green", "light green" or "basic brown" in their attitudes, but, with so many green issues, products, and labels out there, it may be more relevant to your branding and communications to understand their personal green interests."  Continue reading...

Strata Solar has filed applications with N.C. regulators to build two more 5-megawatt solar farms in the Charlotte region — its second in Lincoln County and its third in Cleveland County.

The Lincoln County project will be in North Brook on 121 acres at N.C. Highway 27 and Hebron Church Road. The installation, called Vale Farm, should be producing energy by the end of the year, Strata says in a filing with the N.C. Utilities Commission.

It will be a companion to the…

The North Carolina Energy Office is re-opening the ENERGY STAR® Appliance Rebate and Replacement program for North Carolina residents who recycle and replace an existing appliance with a new ENERGY STAR® qualified appliance purchased on or after January 1, 2012. Purchases must be completed at a North Carolina retail location.

Consumers may go online or call a special telephone number to start the application process to receive their rebate. The link to the N.C. ENERGY STAR Appliance…

Self-Help Credit Union is offering $15 million in low-interest loans for energy-efficiency projects in Charlotte and other cities. Over 50 economic developers, energy professionals and others attended the Feb. 16 launch of the program in Charlotte. The event was part of NCSEA's Clean Energy Connections educational series. NCSEA spoke with Melissa Malkin-Weber, Green Initiatives Manager at Self-Help Credit Union, about the…

In two weeks, Henderson County commissioners could approve amendments to the county’s Land Development Code that would allow solar energy generation facilities, or solar farms, to operate throughout the county. Read more here.

 Biofuel facility in Southport, NC installs solar power and hybrid windmills

WILMINGTON, NC, February 14, 2012 – Alganomics, LLC, Southport, NC based leader in culturing algae for biomass, installed in cooperation with the region’s leading solar company, Cape Fear Solar Systems, LLC, a photovoltaic solar system to offset energy used during the process of culturing algae for biofuel. With the aim to add new alternative energy sources to…

From WTOE/WKYK:

Mitchell County Commissioners have unanimously approved a resolution seeking a community development block grant for a solar panel assembly facility in the county.

Full article here.

The WNC Regional Air Quality Agency is accepting nominations for its annual Clean Air Excellence Awards, which will recognize businesses, organizations and individuals who’ve made valuable contributions to Buncombe County’s air quality. To make a nomination, complete the application form at www.wncairquality.org/awards.htm. Awards will focus on voluntary efforts such as energy-efficiency…

EPA Releases Document on Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations

EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program has released a final version of Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs (PDF) (72 pp, 5.3 MB). This guide describes how…

Hendersonville Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Unveiling Planned for 11 AM, February 8, at corner of 4th Ave and Church St

HENDERSONVILLE, NC, February 6, 2012— The City of Hendersonville is excited to announce it has recently installed the first two electric vehicle charging stations in public parking lots in Henderson County. The charging…

The City of Hendersonville is excited to announce it has recently installed the first two electric vehicle charging stations in public parking lots in Henderson County. The charging stations are located in the Dogwood Parking lot at the corner of Church St and 4th Avenue in downtown Hendersonville. The official ribbon cutting for the new charging stations will be held on Wednesday, February 8 at 11 AM.

For more…

• 02/20/12:  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued an interim Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) IV grant program. Pre-applications due February 20, 2012. …

Entrepreneurs advancing biofuels, bike repairs and nut butters have taken top awards in a break-through business competition. Read more …

Some information about the Solar impact in the rest of the world....looking forward

Survey for Solar 2012 MENASOL

Some information about the Solar impact in the rest of the world....looking forward

Survey for Solar 2012 MENASOL

BOONE — UHaulCarShare and Appalachian State University have teamed up to provide access to North America’s most advanced car-sharing service. Through the partnership, students, faculty and staff will have transportation options allowing them to maintain a sustainable lifestyle in one cost-effective, convenient package.

Three vehicles parked in the Legends parking lot on campus (one Ford Focus and two Toyota Prius Hybrids), are available 24…

For Immediate Release:

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Marshall, NC 

January 25, 2012

Advantage West, French Broad Vignerons, and Warren Wilson College Sponsor Sustainable Viticulture Conference

With a month left before the conference several organizations have provided support in several ways. Advantage West is providing some sponsorship funding to the 2nd Annual North Carolina Conference on Sustainable…

Summary: The NC Community Development Initiative (“the Initiative”) and Green Opportunities want to share what they have learned about building strong green job training programs in low-income communities. They are co-sponsoring a multi-day training retreat for community-based development organizations and their partners in Asheville on April 17-19, 2012.*

The NC Green Jobs Training Retreat will provide participants with the opportunity to fully learn…