Title
Vote to approve a contract with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for $350,000
Abstract
Introduction & Background: Chatham County applied for this grant in December 2024. The grant would pay for energy audits at 13 of the County’s highest energy using buildings and fund the most impactful recommendations from those audits.
Discussion & Analysis: Chatham County has dozens of facilities that use over $1.2 million dollars of electricity and natural gas annually. A portion of this grant will pay a consultant to take a thorough look at the 13 highest energy use buildings and make recommendations to improve efficiency and reduce energy costs. The remainder of the grant funds will be used to implement the most cost-effective and impactful of the recommendations. This should result in ongoing energy savings, lowering the County’s energy costs and emissions from energy use.
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 required County match for this grant.
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to approve a contract with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for $350,000.