Minutes 10-14-2014 Early Comm. for Environment

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bring some money into the County to do energy efficiency work in a way that reaches low income individuals. He said this information is listed in the bullet points on page 12 of the report. Commissioner Rich said the Wise program in Chapel Hill was offered to everyone, but it was specifically targeted to older homes and lower income residents, as this is where the program would make the most impact. She wonders if there is data there that could be shared. She thinks this is a great idea, but it needs to be worked into the budgeting somehow. Chair Jacobs suggested talking to Catawba County. He said there is interest among the Board of County Commissioners in getting more information. He said he has raised the idea of incentives in the past for business that want to become more energy efficient. He said it would be good to have a comprehensive vision of where this could be taken and what is legal in N.C. He said information should be brought back that includes the budget implications for including this, starting it, seeding it, and funding it in a timely manner, which would be March. Chair Jacobs said he thinks Piedmont Electric would be receptive to this, and it is just a matter of getting their attention. David Neal said if there was someone at the County level who could talk to someone in management, it would be helpful. 4. Promotinq Enerqy Conservation and Greater Use of Renewable Enerqy Sources (e.q., Solarize Oranqe, Geothermal, Bioqas, Biodiesel, Wood) (Attachment 4) Loren Hintz said attachment 4 refers to Solarize Orange. He said the biggest thing in the news right now is solar energy. He said for private home owners who have enough income to be able to use a tax deduction, solarizing can work. He said there are other options that the County can help facilitate. He said geothermal is a good investment for heating and cooling a home, but it is a large investment. He said one question is whether the permitting process and fees should be the same for geothermal wells as for regular wells. Loren Hintz said a memo was sent several years ago regarding the rules and regulations related to solar panels. He said those types of regulations are something that the Commissioners might look at. Chair Jacobs said the County has geothermal wells at the Justice Facility and the Link Government Services Center. He said Asset Management Services is looking at solar applications for County facilities. He said there has not been much talk about incentivizing individuals, but there is no reason this can't be done. Loren Hintz said Orange County government has been doing a lot and has policies in place. Commissioner McKee said it is going to be critical to build in an educational component for all of these concepts. Commissioner Rich said some of the federal incentives for solar homes are getting ready to run out. She said something needs to be done quickly. Loren Hintz said there are also state incentives for geothermal, although he believes that these are running out in 2015 as well. Jeanette O'Conner said it is frustrating to know that the lower income residents could benefit the most from these energy alternatives. She said it would be beneficial if the County could find ways to educate and from partnerships to help with this. Chair Jacobs said Cooperative Extension will provide free energy efficient light bulbs, but many people don't know about this. He said if this gets to a bond package it would be a