Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte has announced the groundbreaking of its first affordable LEED Certified Home. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The strength of the program lies in its holistic approach to design and construction and third-party verification. The certification system was built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all metrics: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources.

Charlotte, NC — Abundant Power Group released a new website revealing significant strides in the company strategy to catalyze the clean energy economy through private capital. The new website highlights Abundant Power’s four operating divisions — growth equity, efficiency finance, solar finance, and energy productive schools - which serve unique needs of the clean energy industry and benefit from insight and cross fertilization across business units.

'Discover Where NC Voters Stand on Energy Issues'

On April 26, 2012, members and supporters of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) discussed the results of our latest statewide poll. 

What

NCSEA's public opinion poll of over 700 registered voters found that more than 50 percent of people said their electricity rates are too high. Overwhelmingly, 85.4 percent of those surveyed said they wanted more options for buying electricity from other companies besides their current utility.

National pollster Paul Fallon of Fallon Research broke down the questions and responses. NCSEA's Executive Director Ivan Urlaub and Director of Government Affairs Julie Robinson talked about how the results relate to our legislative efforts and what they mean for your energy usage and monthly bills.

2012 Making Energy Work Conference
'Fueling Innovation'

The 2012 Making Energy Work Conference offers unprecedented access to the latest information, solutions and technologies driving the success of North Carolina's renewable energy and energy efficiency businesses. Join hundreds of state and national clean energy leaders and embrace the chance to inspire strategies for continued growth.

When
October 10-11, 2012

Where
Charlotte Convention Center
501 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Why Attend

• Learn how policy decisions foster economic development and enhance state and national security efforts
• Hear the latest renewable energy and energy efficiency technological advancements
• Network with energy leaders, colleagues, consumers and business prospects
• Participate in interactive conference sessions and share best practices

Who Should Attend

• Electric Utilities and Independent Power Producers
• Local, State and Federal Government Officials and Staff
• Business Owners and their Employees
• Consultants, Energy Advisory & Planning Agencies
• Community College and University Researchers, Students and Educators
• Commercial and Industrial Energy Customers
• Clean Energy Site Owners and Managers
• Manufacturers of Renewable Energy Systems
• Clean Energy Architects, Engineers and Construction Representatives
• Start-up Entrepreneurs
• Bankers, Investors

Check back here for updates and a tentative agenda.

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Jacqueline Patterson, Principal of Sheercom LLC and member of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Board of Directors, has been asked to  join a panel on “Making Charlotte Competitive” on May 3, 2012. The panel is part of Harvard Business School’s national outreach campaign “U.S. Competitiveness: Paths Forward.” In Charlotte, Jim Rogers of Duke Energy has offered to serve as the local host for the event.

The “U.S. Competitiveness: Paths Forward” event will take place from 4- 6 p.m. on May 3, 2012 at the O.J. Miller Auditorium at the Duke Energy Headquarters. An audience of roughly 150 is expected. Patterson's panel is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and will focus on how Charlotte leaders are enhancing U.S. competitiveness. Patterson has been asked to describe her unique, inspiring story in areas such as workforce training, higher education, innovation, entrepreneurship and small business development. The panel will be moderated by HBS professor Bill George.

Lime Energy Co. has made a sponsorship agreement with Uncharted Play, the creators of sOccketTM, a portable source of clean, renewable energy designed to help families in need.


The sOccket is a durable soccer ball that harnesses the kinetic energy of the ball during normal game play and stores it for later power needs. After just 30 minutes of play, small electrical appliances, like an LED lamp, can be plugged into the sOccket for 3 hours of electricity. “Lime’s purpose is to build a clean energy future and this sponsorship aligns to our values as a company,” said John O’Rourke, Lime President and CEO. “The creators of sOccket have developed a renewable resource that taps into the global passion for the game of soccer and creates a lasting solution to the growing energy crisis.”

Raleigh, N.C. – April 23, 2012 - The sixth annual North Carolina Mobile Clean Air Renewable Energy (CARE) awards were announced Friday. The Mobile CARE awards recognize transportation emission reduction efforts that support alternative fuel and advanced technology activities and policies in North Carolina. The four awards were presented by N.C. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Ted Vedan atthe Eco Driving to Electric: Clean Transportation Opportunities Abound session of the 9^th Annual Sustainable Energy Conference held in Raleigh, N.C. 

The Mobile CARE awards are part of a $3 million, six-year Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) project lead by the N.C. Solar Center at N.C. State University with funding provided by the N.C. Department of Transportation.

Forest City, NC — Facebook’s Forest City Data Center celebrated its grand opening in Rutherford County on Thursday, April 19, after completing the site’s first building and beginning to serve user traffic from the facility.

Facebook’s Vice President of Site Operations Tom Furlong and Data Center Manager George Henry joined NC Deputy Commerce Secretary Dale Carroll, members of the legislative delegation, Rutherford County Commission Chair Julius Owens, Forest City Mayor Dennis Tarlton, and more than 300 “friends” for a celebration at the facility.

"Our Forest City data center is among the most advanced and most energy efficient facility of its kind," Furlong said. "We want to thank the thousands of people involved, in North Carolina and beyond, for coming together to build and staff a world-class facility in less than a year and a half. This is an amazing accomplishment, and it wouldn’t have been possible if we hadn’t worked so well together."

“We are proud that Facebook chose to make North Carolina a ‘friend.’ The feeling is certainly mutual,” said Governor Bev Perdue. "The data center has come together with remarkable speed, thanks to the strong relationship between the company and our state and local resources. The investment and jobs at the data center is a boon to that region of the state, and helps confirm North Carolina’s distinction as a global business destination.”

O₂ energies, a solar development company based in Charlotte is harvesting something new on the grounds of a family-owned North Carolina soybean farm: 1.5-megawatts worth of electricity produced by the solar array at Sandy Cross Solar. The solar farm is being constructed just an hour from Raleigh and will supply energy through the utility grid to the local community including the neighboring Sandy Cross Vineyard.
 

Marcilynn Burke, Acting Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Interior, will be in Raleigh next Wednesday to talk about North Carolina’s offshore wind resource.  Ms. Burke oversees the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which has jurisdiction over offshore wind leases.   The first lease blocks in federal waters off North Carolina’s coast may become available this year.

With the best offshore wind resources on the East coast, it’s no surprise that the issue is drawing attention in North Carolina.  Award winning photographer and videographer Art Howard will also sit on the forum’s panel.  Mr. Howard will be previewing video from PBS’s upcoming premiere of the final segments of Earth: The Operator’s Manual, to be aired on Earth Day, April 22.