News

NC Public Power Unveils Hometown Green Program

March 18, 2009

NC Public Power has launched a new program to raise awareness of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Hometown Green – generating smart energy choices includes NC Public Power’s collective efforts, on both a statewide and local basis, towards being “green.” This includes energy efficiency programs, demand-side management, REPS compliance efforts and the NC Public Power plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Local efforts such as energy fairs, distribution of energy efficiency kits and customized energy education programs are also part of Hometown Green.

“Launching the Hometown Green initiative at this time is key in that so many North Carolinians are looking for ways to save energy and save money on home electric costs,” says ElectriCities Interim CEO Art Hubert  Jr. “Additionally, much national attention has been placed on renewable energy and its importance in future energy policy. The Hometown Green initiative fits right in with those issues and demonstrates NC Public Power’s commitment to moving forward on both fronts.” 

Included in the Hometown Green initiative are on-line tools, such as Energy Depot (the online energy audit tool), energy kits and PHEV city visits. North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) also offers a residential energy auditor program. North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1 (NCMPA1) offers a city building audit program and is introducing a number of new energy-efficiency programs in 2009.

“NCEMPA offers a variety of educational programs to demonstrate our commitment to energy efficiency and helping customers learn how to use electricity wisely,” said Ken Raber, SVP of NCEMPA and ElectriCities Services. “From customer education to load management to personal home energy audits, NCEMPA and it Participants have focused on energy efficiency for many years. Hometown Green brings these efforts together under one initiative.”

NCMPA1 Participants will soon offer a variety of new energy efficiency programs, including heat pump rebates, Energy Star home rebates, commercial and industrial requests for proposals of energy efficiency projects, municipal energy efficiency projects, commercial solar thermal rebates, LED and efficiency motors demonstration at grocery stores and weatherizing assistance for low-income families.

“In 2009, NCMPA1’s new energy efficiency programs will be introduced, all carrying the Hometown Green logo,” said Steve Shelton, SVP of NCMPA1. “These programs, providing numerous energy-saving opportunities for residential, commercial and industrial customers, emphasize the Power Agency’s commitment to development of new energy efficiency measures. Also, NCMPA1 recently entered into agreements to purchase renewable energy, both wind and biomass, to meet North Carolina’s renewable energy legislation.” 

For more information about Hometown Green, visit http://www.ncpublicpower.com/Energy_Efficiency.aspx