NC secures major grant to boost solar energy across the state

Note: The accompanying video shares tips on going green

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina has been awarded $156 million in grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency.

According to Governor Roy Cooper, who made the announcement on Earth Day, that influx of money will help bring solar power to disadvantaged and low-income communities across the state.

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“North Carolina continues to lead the way toward a clean energy future and we are grateful to be selected by the EPA for this groundbreaking grant program,” said Governor Cooper. “This funding will help cut energy costs and help families across North Carolina live cleaner and healthier lives.”

The applicant for the grant was EnergizeNC, North Carolina’s Solar for All coalition. The funds are being doled out from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) grant program.

Julie Woosley, the Director of the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office, said the program will bring utility cost reductions and the benefits of clean energy to those who would not otherwise have access to it.

“More than 70 organizations have offered letters of support for the EnergizeNC proposal, and we look forward to working with community stakeholders across the state to bring the greatest impact,” Woosley said.

Using the $156 million, Energize NC will launch a statewide program which aims to “transform” the solar growth in the state. As the group facilitates the rapid deployment of solar across the state, the group said it has these four main goals:

1. Create a comprehensive program management approach;

2. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and foster environmental justice;

3. Foster and develop a trained workforce; and

4. Provide robust community engagement to ensure that project benefits flow to disadvantaged communities and individuals.

Advanced Energy will be working with the coalition as a partner to help make sure systems installed are safe, durable and reliable. The company will also be there to make sure those systems “perform as expected to provide financial savings and environmental benefits for our underserved communities,” said Brian Coble, Chief Operating Officer at Advanced Energy.

As the program is further rolled out, you can stay up-to-date on the progress made at energizeNC.org.

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