Title
Vote to amend the contract with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for the building energy audits
Abstract
Introduction & Background: Chatham County applied for an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) in December 2024. Due to a variety of circumstances beyond the County’s control, the grant was not awarded until late in 2025. The grant contract was finalized in late October 2025. This grant award was for performing energy audits at 13 County buildings and then acting on the recommendations of the audits to improve the efficiency of our buildings.
Discussion & Analysis: Due to the delayed grant award, the timeline for the grant was drastically shortened. This has made it difficult to order and procure the work recommended by the audits by the grant deadline, which is December 31, 2026. In order to streamline the procurement process the grant award is being reduced to $249,500 (down from $350,000). Reducing the award amount below $250,000 greatly simplifies the Build America Buy America waiver process, which will make it possible to get the equipment we want to install before the grant deadline.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: Resiliency Policy 3 is to increase the energy and water efficiency of buildings.
Budgetary Impact: There is no net impact on the budget because the reduction in spending for the grant is balanced by the reduction in grant award.
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to amend the contract with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for the building energy audits.