Agenda - 06-12-2007-4kk - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 12, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. ~{- -~ SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of the State Energy Office DEPARTMENT: BOCC PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Resolution Donna Baker, Clerk to the Chatham County Resolution Orange County Board of Commissioners (919) 245-2130 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution requesting support for the State Energy Office. BACKGROUND: MISSION The State Energy Office of the NC Department of Administration strives for a sustainable energy future for North Carolina by promoting: • energy efficiency • renewable energy • alternative fuels • energy emergency response HISTORY IN BRIEF The State Energy Office was created in 1973 in response to the Arab Oil Embargo to serve as an energy emergency response agency, helping to allocate fuels and assist citizens with the issues created by reduced petroleum supplies. The Office has evolved since that time to become North Carolina's lead agency for energy programs, services and information for consumers, businesses, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools and policy makers. NOTABLE PROGRAMS State Agencies: The Utility Savings Initiative is alead-by-example energy efficiency program to save 20% on energy costs and consumption in all state agencies and public universities in five years. Since its inception in 2002, it has saved the State and its taxpayers more than $66 million in avoided utility costs. The program is being expanded now to community colleges, K- 12 schools, and local governments. Residential: The Upgrade and Save Program helps homeowners of new manufactured homes in 50 North Carolina counties upgrade standard furnaces to more energy efficient heat pumps, saving homeowners up to $700 in heating costs each winter. Since the program's inception in 2003, homeowners have saved a cumulative total of $437,240.