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<br /> Comprehensive Revie w of <br /> S olid W aste Collection and Disposal Options <br /> <br /> <br />v2.1 186 10/22/12 <br />initiated in 1988, which involved a residence hall pilot program beginning in 1990 and yard <br />waste recycling a few years after that. Currently, NCSU’s organic materials (i.e., dining hall <br />food waste, animal bedding, yard waste, etc.) are collected and composted by Brooks <br />Contracting like UNC. <br />In January, 2011, NCSU broke ground on a $61 million performance contract with Ameresco, <br />Inc., part of which will install an 11 Megawatt (MW) Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system <br />in Cates Utility Plant. The CHP system, also called cogeneration, will pay for itself through <br />energy savings over 17 years. The upgrade at Cates Utility Plant is expected to be completed in <br />summer 2012. <br />Initial discussions with NCSU’s Sustainability Director, Ms. Tracy Dixon, suggested that NCSU <br />would be interested in partnering with the Town to consider and solicit applicable research grant <br />and educational funding to initiate feasibility studies to involve the development of a WTE or <br />WC technology (e.g., anaerobic digestion) in the region. <br />13.2 OTHER AVAILABLE AREA RESOURCES, PROJECTS, AND <br />FUNDING <br />13.2.1 Environmental Research and Education Foundation <br />The Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) is located in Raleigh, North <br />Carolina. The purpose of EREF is to fund and direct scientific research and educational <br />initiatives for waste management practices to benefit industry participants and the communities <br />they serve. Discussions with Mr. Bryan Staley, President, indicated that EREF is currently <br />completing an in-house study on various aspects of WTE and WC technologies. Mr. Staley <br />indicated that he would entertain future opportunities to collaborate with the Town on feasibility <br />aspects. Importantly, EREF has an ongoing grant program to conduct research studies, usually <br />in collaboration with university researchers. <br />Researchers are invited to submit proposals on solid waste management issues contained in <br />EREF’s Strategic Research Plan or on educational projects. EREF routinely assesses research <br />needs within the solid waste field via the EREF’s Council, a committee comprised of industry <br />stakeholders and academia. General and/or targeted requests for proposals (RFPs) are generated <br />at the request of the Council by EREF staff and posted on EREF’s website (www.erefdn.org) and <br />advertised in other media. Other unsolicited proposals (e.g., educational projects) are equally <br />welcome for EREF consideration. Descriptions of ongoing and previously completed grants and <br />projects may also be found on EREF’s website. Previously awarded grants have ranged from <br />$15,000 to over $500,000 with the average grant amount being $100,000. <br />Submissions of scientific research proposals related to sustainable solid waste management <br />practices are invited in the following areas: <br /> Waste minimization. <br /> Recycling.