Last May, in the aftermath of the Woodfin power plant controversy, Progress Energy rolled out the Community Energy Advisory Council — a panel of local leaders appointed by the utility company to assist with developing environmental solutions for current and future energy needs.
Progress Energy and CEAC have announced that they will accept grant applications for up to $25,000 for local initiatives that fit into a balanced energy strategy.
“Proposals may deal with energy efficiency, energy conservation, energy education, or other related project or program,” according to a statement. “There is no minimum dollar amount for the requests, and proposals may be submitted to fund portions of larger projects.”
Applications should be a maximum of two pages, and should include the IRS name of the receiving nonprofit organization, a description of who will be served by the grant request, a budget, a timeline, a statement of the impact on energy reduction for Western North Carolina and how that impact will be measured.
Requests should be mailed to Martha Thompson, 555-A Brevard Road, Asheville, N.C., 28806; or e-mailed to martha.thompson@pgnmail.com. The deadline is Friday, Feb. 29.
— Rebecca Bowe, contributing editor
Progress Energy spent millions lobbying to kill the federal Renewable Portfolio Standard that would have boosted efforts for converting to renewable energy technologies, efficiency and conservation. They spent hundreds of thousands to influence the NC state legislature to bring back rate-payer pre-funding for polluting coal and nuclear power plants. This $25,000
spit in the bucket is an insult to our community and an effort to buy off opposition to a new fossil-fueled power plant in western NC, Progress is about to announce. I urge community groups to refuse to accept this money and to join the boycott against Progress Energy and Duke Energy. Turn off you lights for fifteen minutes every Sunday night at 9-9:15pm in solidarity against the construction of Cliffside and all new coal and nuclear plants. We can meet future energy demand through peak power shifting, efficiency, conservation and the development of renewable energy resources.
Progress Energy and conservation should not be used in the same sentence. This is a company whose PR campaign for conservation is reminicient of the tobacco industries attempts at downplaying the harmful effects of smoking. Take a few minutes and check out their blurb on tankless hot water heaters- After reading what they print, I would be discouraged from even thinking about installing one as a conservation measure except for the fact that we’ve installed a gas tankless heater in place of the electric tank. Our electricity bill dropped significantly and the gas use is extremely minimal. End result-less energy consumed, money saved. Ever wonder why the rest of the planet uses this technology?
Avram and Kent,
Thanks for your thoughts.
On the Cliffside tip, Avram, I want to let you know that I mentioned the Canary Coalition – and other environmental groups opposing Cliffside – on David Hurand’s “Byline” show on 88.1 WCQS in a 5-minute blurb about the DAQ air permit decision. That will air this evening at 6 pm.
As for the statement that PEC “is about to announce” a new fossil-fuel plant, do you have any other information that you would be willing to share about that? I haven’t heard anything about it.