Sustainability: State Energy Conference

Last week, I attended the 8th Annual Sustainability Energy Conference sponsored by the Energy Division of the NC Department of Commerce. There were over 1,000 people vending, presenting and like myself, just plain interested in seeing how this field is emerging.  Some cool facts. The state is focusing its resources (staff and funding) on six emerging sectors. They are as follows:
1. Solar. Did you know that NC is the 9th largest supplier of solar energy in the nation? I didn't and am pretty impressed with that statistic. We also offer some of the best personal, commercial and industrial state tax credits. They are summarized here.
2. Off-shore wind development: Is considered the next frontier of energy. UNC has done a substantial amount of research testing the opportunities engendered into our inner and outer coasts.  I learned that there's a race between our exiting state energy suppliers (Duke, Progress) and the more diverse suppliers such as Iberdrola Renewables, as well as our neighboring states- South Carolina and Virginia to lead the nation with this energy source. Morehead City, the Pamlico Sound and OBX all offer promising locations for developing wind energy.  Manufacturing, shipping and energy supply could be enhanced through policy and funding dedicated to launching this new market....Tuesday's Luncheon Keynote Speaker was David Shadle, Managing Director for Wind Business Development, Iberdrola Renewables. His discussion centered on Wind Development in the South and Other Tall Orders. ...it was all very exciting and keeps me hopeful that we may actually recover down east from the loss of manufacturing jobs.
3. Smart Grid: I must have been daydreaming about small scale wind farms on the Pamlico Sound as I didn't write anything down about Smart Grid technology
4. Electrical Vehicles: Get Ready Raleigh is one of three EPA funded test sites. With support from lots of different groups, the City of Raleigh has successfully installed 3 publically available Eaton charging stations downtown. Actions have spurred other local entities to begin installing infrastructure, including the installation of 21 charging stations in a newly constructed parking deck. Raleigh is planning for the installation of additional charging stations.... I wonder if they need a small, rural community to set up a plug-in station for all those interested in "staycationing" this summer....
5. Biofuels: the goal here is to TRIPLE production over the next three years...a tall order. Check out this cutting-edge co-op, http://www.biofuels.coop/, my husband helped to construct their straw-bale solar biodiesel warmer...
6. Energy Efficiency in Buildings: It’s estimated that 60% of Green Economy jobs will surface from this sector; everybody from the home contractor to the industrial energy efficient expert is slapped into this category. I think the biggest challenge for improving the energy efficiency of our buildings lies in the market, or the lack thereof. I'm of the opinion that if we really want to see growth local, state and federal administrations should incentivize residential and commercial markets; refundable tax credits, low interest loans, guaranteed energy savings, etc

Community Development: Fair Housing

April is National Fair Housing Month. What is fair housing month all about, you ask? Well, HUD's website does a good job explaining how the Civil Rights Act/Fair Housing Act came to be and subsequently how locals came to celebrate and raise awareness for equal opportunity housing. You can find that summary here.  

In reviewing the legislative history, I'm reminded that government action is often a long, difficult journey. As they continue on with the FY11 budget and legislative process, I hope our leaders are proactive; make decisions that mindful of the safety of others, promote an expanding economy and keep quality of life issues at the top of their agendas.

So..with no further adieu: Our community is hosting a Fair Housing Forum on 4.28.11 at 6pm at City Hall. Join us if you can!

 

Sustainability: District energy

West Union, Iowa….WOW, you! With ARRA support, this rural Main Street Community could serve as a model to other small communities across the country, demonstrating that environmental and economic stability, considered together, can keep America’s Main Streets vital and thriving.  

Their mostly brick, two-story building downtown has seen more prosperous days, nevertheless local leaders have not grown complacent. In recent years, with the aim of luring more visitors downtown, they have embarked on an ambitious project that incorporates green technology and design. The center piece of this effort is both age-old and cutting edge: a “district energy” plan that will provide residents and property owners with access to cheap and renewable geothermal power.

According to Preservation Magazine, “at the start of the 20^th Century, the notion that multiple buildings could share a heating system, usually a boiler and steam based, was popular; examples survive at colleges and hospitals around the country. But district energy fell out of favor in the 1950’s as suburban development began in earnest, and planners became less interested in Main Street infrastructure.”

Today, with over $8 million in grants, West Union plans to create a neighborhood sized public utility that will draw energy directly from the ground.

The Geothermal Energy Association has a wealth of information about this energy source. And we all know, I’m not here to debate the pros and cons of Geothermal Energy, but rather to stay abreast of the initiatives that spark community enthusiasm, makes us all say "why didn't I think of that"  and improve the quality of life. What’s happening in West Union’s downtown seems to fit that bill.

Here’s the preservation lab news brief

Preservation: loan pool

Nothing says love like no interest loans. The City of Greenville, NC is considering the adoption of a program that would incentivize rehabilitation efforts and capitalize on preserving the original fabric of Greenville's historic district.

With support from his local preservation commission, I wish Seth Laughlin, historic preservation planner, the best of luck in securing council's vote to move this project forward.

Here's a link summarizing the  historic preservation loan pool program: http://www.greenvillenc.gov/departments/mayor_city_council/information/default.aspx?id=6002  

Where's my revolving loan fund?

Preservation: way cool

Germans get so much of it right- diversity in education, family-supportive maternity leave laws, walkability in community design, snug fitting, big-buttoned military jackets (one of my favorite looks)...and here is another great example if them making something cool...preservation!

Under the name of “Dispatchwork” (all puns intended), Berliners are taking to the streets with a medium that will take you right back to your childhood: LEGOs! As described, the project “is part urban art installation, part historical highlighting (since many of the gaps date back to World War II) and part method of calling attention to buildings that could use some help.”

And while I doubt this fits the bill as “sensitive materials” for patching up places that matter, I adore the project as an attention-getting public service announcement. I’m also incredibly jealous. File under things I wish I had thought of.

Link here

Legislative scorecard: March 16

Introduced in the House this week:  H100, would require nonprofit corporations get at least 35 percent of their funding from private sources and keep administrative expenses below 16 percent to receive state grants. Sponsors: Reps. Larry Brown, R-Forsyth, and George Cleveland, R-Onslow. Such changes would completely alter the landscape of "qualified" nonprofits.

In the committees: S27, to place a statewide moratorium on involuntary annexations until July 1, 2012. Recommended for approval, Senate State and Local Government Committee. Next: To the full Senate.

OTHER IDEAS: The union representing state employees offered a list of suggestions it said could close next year's budget gap without layoffs. The report by the State Employees Association of North Carolina recommends allowing four-day workweeks, consolidating state health services and ending corporate incentives and special tax breaks to the motorsports and film industries. The group says its proposals of more than $10 billion in savings or revenue options should be considered before cutting state jobs.

Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue is expected to release her budget Thursday. Perdue and Republican legislative leaders have said layoffs are likely in the next budget year as negotiators try to close a projected budget gap of between $2 billion and $3 billion

Planning bites: the billboard bill

THE "BILLBOARD BILL"

 

S.183 would allow electronic billboards to be erected, override  community regulations regarding the location and appearance of those billboards, and expand the area where public trees can be cleared along roadways.

 

The legislation is strongly opposed by neighborhood associations, the N.C. League of Municipalities, N.C. Association of County Commissioners, N.C. Chapter of the American Planning Association, and N.C. Metro Mayors Coalition.

 

Key Features of Legislation

 

Among other things, S.183 would:

 

1)    Allow digital billboards every 1,500 feet on each side of any interstate or primary highway – as many as 7 digital billboards every mile.

 

2)    Allow ad changes every 8 seconds -- more than 10,000 messages/billboard each day.

 

3)    Override local regulations and allow existing billboards to convert to digital, as long as the billboard is at least 1500 feet from another digital billboard.

 

4)    Expands the area where trees can be cleared in front of billboards, and overrides local tree cutting ordinances on interstates and federally assisted highways.

 

Key Points About Billboards

 

1)      Billboard messages cannot be controlled.  Too often, advertising on billboards is for alcohol and sex businesses, which cannot be legally prohibited. 

 

2)      Billboards installed today will be here for generations.  As a result of 2004 state legislation, taxpayers have to buy out billboards if they want them removed.  The cost can be hundreds of thousands of dollars per billboard, making them all but permanent.

 

3)      This is an issue of local control and community values.  Please protect the right of citizens to make their own decisions about their community appearance.