Tim Ballard 9-19-11
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Transcript of Tim Ballard 9-19-11
Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute
BRSI: major focus on Energy since early 2011
Multitude of drivers: Climate change Air quality Job creation etc.
Stats you’ve heard before:
WNC spends ~$2 billion/year importing energy (LOSRC) .
Buildings account for 40% of U.S. primary energy consumption (USGBC).
ABCCM Green Jobs Training Programs – need for market development and job creation.
Too numerous to name
From WNCGBC’s NeighborSaves Program
To the WNC Clean Energy Economy Project
From Progress Energy’s incentive
programs To ABCCM Green Jobs Training
WNC a clean energy leader (NCSEA): Second largest clean energy industry
population in North Carolina. Second largest population of energy
efficient home builders. Third largest industry cluster in North
Carolina is located in Buncombe County.
Underutilized programs: For several of Progress Energy’s efficiency
and conservation program, WNC has the lowest participation rate in their entire 3-state territory
Convene, Catalyze and Create
Connect residents, businesses and industry to existing resources.
Increase accessibility to existing resources.
Catalyze and create new programs and resources where needed.
Energy Action Council
First convening: need for a regional focus on Marketing/public outreach Financing
Finance Summit
Green Restaurant Initiative Partnership with Asheville Independent Restaurants
to build Asheville into a Green Dining Destination. N.C. Green Business Fund ARRA grant to support
upfits on 17 AIR member restaurants. CO2 reduction of 140 tons/year. Nearly 13 billion BTU saved/year Solar thermal, lighting retrofits, HVAC
improvements, etc.
Residential Energy Efficiency Initial steps to create a program building
regional market demand for residential efficiency.
Partnership with UNCA Student Energy Internship Program through Energy Office ARRA funding.
Focus on public outreach/education and developing financing mechanisms.
Outreach through business/industry organizations and partnerships
Tie-ins with BRSI’s forthcoming Eco-Tourism initiative: hospitality, lodging and tourism.
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