N.C. ENERGY OFFICE TO HOLD WORKSHOPS TO HELP PUBLIC OFFICIALS RALEIGH – The North Carolina State Energy Office will conduct a series of free workshop around the state to assist local government and public school officials gain access to more than $58.3 million in federal Recovery Act funds to create jobs and conserve energy. The focus audience includes those with local governments, public school systems, community colleges, public universities and state agencies. Through the federal Recovery Act, $58.3 million has been designated for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants for local and state agencies in North Carolina with $37.4 million designated to 32 of the state’s larger cities and counties and the Cherokee Indian reservation. The remaining $20.9 million will be distributed by the State Energy Office to the state’s smaller communities and other state and local agencies on a competitive basis. In addition to the energy block grant funds, North Carolina is receiving $75.9 million to improve energy efficiency, promote greater use of renewable energy resources and create more green jobs. North Carolina is also receiving $132 million in federal weatherization funds through the Recovery Act to expand efforts to assist low-income homeowners with energy-efficient upgrades to their houses. “Before any communities or agencies can be awarded any of the funds, the federal Recovery Act requires that they must have a strategic energy plan,” said Larry Shirley, director of the State Energy Office. “Our workshops will provide local officials with the detailed information they’ll need to complete this crucial step and help speed funding to our communities and put people to work.” Representatives from state agencies, public universities, community colleges, public school systems, and local governments are urged to attend. The sessions are scheduled for six hours. Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and classes start at 9 a.m. The day-long sessions are expected to end at about 4 p.m. In addition to these sessions, the State Energy Office will post the Power Point presentation being used for the sessions on its web site, www.energync.net. In addition, it offers an online version of seminar, or “webinar” at a date to be set later this month. Below is the schedule for the sessions: Tuesday, June 9: Edgecombe Community College, 2009 W Wilson St., Tarboro Wednesday, June 10: Pitt Community College, 1986 Pitt Tech Road, Winterville Thursday, June 11: Guilford Technical Community College, Jamestown Tuesday, June 16: Haywood Community College, 185 Freedlander Drive, Clyde Wednesday, June 17: Catawba Valley Community College, 2550 Highway 70 SE, Hickory Thursday, June 18: Fayetteville Technical Community College, 171 Lake Tree Blvd., Spring Lake Friday, June 19: New Hanover County Public Library, 201 Chestnut Street, Wilmington Monday, June 29: Wake Technical Community College, 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh # # #
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