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To give an example of how such an energy efficient construction incentive might function, <br />below is a summary of the Catawba County incentives enacted pursuant to N. C. Gen. Stat.§ <br />153A -340: <br />Catawba County is providing incentives to encourage the <br />construction of sustainably built homes and commercial <br />buildings. Rebates on permit fees and plan reviews are available <br />for certain qualifying structures and renewable energy projects. <br />Buildings designed and constructed in accordance with the US <br />Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and <br />Environmental Design (LEED), NC HealthyBuilt Homes, <br />Energy Star, or the National Association of Home Builders' <br />Model Green Home Building Guidelines can receive a 25% <br />blanket permit fee rebate, not to exceed $500. Catawba County <br />will also rebate 50% of fees related to plan review or express <br />plan review for commercial buildings seeking LEED <br />certification. <br />Additionally, existing one and two family homes and <br />commercial buildings can receive a 50% rebate on the <br />permitting fees associated with the installation of geothermal <br />heat pumps, photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar water heating <br />systems, and gray /rain water collection for flushing fixtures. <br />Regular fees must be paid in full at time of plan review or <br />permit issuance. Fee rebates will be refunded upon project <br />completion and certification by third party inspection agency.2 <br />Rebates or reduced fees for efficient construction could be structured on a sliding scale, with <br />zero energy construction receiving the most robust incentives. Given the current level of <br />permitting fees, rebates or reductions in Orange County could be designed here that could <br />provide a substantial incentive for efficient construction. <br />The CFE looks forward to working with the Planning Board on crafting an efficiency <br />incentive program for consideration by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. We <br />would appreciate the opportunity to have this item included on an upcoming agenda and to <br />work with you on completing a draft proposal in the next few months. <br />cc: David Stancil <br />Craig Benedict <br />From the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy & Efficiency (available at <br /><http: / /www.dsireusa.org/ incentives /incentive.cfin ?Incentive_ Code= NC87F &re=1 &ee =1 >) <br />Gol2cl2cGSSGOI� for the Fktvroktntektt <br />c% orate oo"ntrJ, DE,4F72, Fo Pox SzBZ, Hillsboro"Oh, No � 9 PVC 24,5-- -2.S10 <br />