Item:
Title
Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC016 Recognizing a $1,500,000 Grant Award from the Engineering and Environmental Services, Sustainability Division of the US Department of Energy to Create and Implement the Energy Burden and Emissions Reduction Program (EBERP), as well as Authorize the County Manager to Sign and Execute All Related Contracts
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: September 9, 2024
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to review and approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC016 recognizing a $1,500,000 grant award from the Engineering and Environmental Services - Sustainability Division of the US Department of Energy (DOE) to create and implement the Energy Burden and Emissions Reduction Program (EBERP), as well as authorize the County Manager to sign and execute all contracts for authorized and approved uses associated with the grant program throughout the grant’s period of performance.
EBERP is a new program to provide energy efficiency retrofits and limited home repair to low-to-moderate income households in Durham, Orange, and Granville Counties. The goal is to retrofit at least 230 homes in the three-county area to reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy burden. Neighborhood ambassadors will provide hands-on workshops to help households save more energy through behavior change.
This grant is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. It is a three (3) year, reimbursable grant with a period of performance beginning when the contract with the DOE is received and executed. The DOE is also providing a Community Energy Fellow for 12-18 months at no cost to the County to help with community outreach and program development. Durham County is providing $166,147 as in-kind costshare made up of employee time spent on the project. Additional project partners include Orange County, Granville County, NC Sustainable Energy Association, Central Pines Regional Council, Piedmont Triad Regional Council, NC Clean Energy Fund, Enpira, and ShipShape.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This aligns with Durham County Strategic Goal of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment.
Resource Persons: Tobin L. Freid, Sustainability Manager; Megan Pendell, Sustainability Specialist; Jay Gibson, PE, Director of Engineering and Environmental Services
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board review and approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.25BCC016 recognizing a $1,500,000 grant award from the Engineering and Environmental Services - Sustainability Division of the US Department of Energy (DOE) to create and implement the Energy Burden and Emissions Reduction Program (EBERP), as well as authorize the County Manager to sign and execute all contracts for authorized and approved uses associated with the grant program throughout the grant’s period of performance.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________