Agenda 01-20-2026; 6-a - Community Climate Action Grant (CCAG) – FY 2025-26 Project Selection

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Project Benefits:The E-bike lending library gives residents free, short-term access to e-bikes, reducing car trips,12 emissions, and transportation costs. Exposure to multiple bike types helps users discover accessible, healthier travel options.The program also supports local bike shops and increases community adoption of low-emission mobility. Reviewer Comments: GHG reduction is based on total project lifetime, but the funding request is only for an additional year of operations.The CFE was concerned about the sustainability of the e-bike program long-term and what would happen if the project ended due to lack of funding. Most of the reduction in gasoline is tied to people purchasing their own a-bikes and assumptions (e.g., number of e-bikes purchased) are not substantiated with data. The HRC commented that having targeted communities that are low-income or partnership ideas to target minority populations could be considered. #13 Ranked Project —Town of Carrboro— E-bike Voucher and Education Program Applicant(Collaborators): Back Alley Bikes, Shift Chapel Hill-Carrboro Funding Requested: $33,400 Recommended Funding Level: $0 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 16.09 Project Description:This pilot will provide 20 income-eligible residents with vouchers for free e-bikes, reducing transportation insecurity and emissions. Modeled on successful programs in Raleigh and Durham,the initiative will include safety gear, outreach, and workshops. Project Benefits: Providing e-bike vouchers to low-income residents will replace car trips, reducing over 100 metric tons of CO2 and improving air quality.The program expands mobility for people who cannot afford cars or electric vehicles, improving access to work, healthcare, and daily needs. Supporting local bike shops keeps economic benefits within Carrboro. Reviewer Comments:The CFE and HRC scores were closely aligned and suggested a comparatively lower return relative to other proposals. Reviewers noted that the cost per recipient is relatively high and would be most impactful if the program encouraged broader e-bike adoption.The HRC also emphasized the importance of meaningful community engagement and raised questions about the extent to which the program would reach communities of color or advance social justice and racial equity goals. #14 Ranked Project —The ArtsCenter— Cellular Blinds Applicant(Collaborators): N/A Funding Requested: $21,800 Recommended Funding Level: $0 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 15.73 Project Description:The ArtsCenter plans to install high-efficiency cellular shades to improve building energy performance. Installation will be done by a long-standing local,veteran-owned business. Project Benefits: Installing high-efficiency cellular shades will reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, lowering energy use throughout the building. Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that cellular shades outperform vinyl blinds, delivering up to 20% heating energy savings and up to 15%total heating-and-cooling energy savings compared to homes without shades. Reviewer Comments:The CFE did not feel this was a high priority project, given limited funding and the quality of other applications.The HRC rank was low and GHG reductions were minimal.The Arts Center has been a grant recipient in the past and the CFE wanted to give others an opportunity.