Chapel Hill may receive funding for environmental efficiency

Chapel Hill town buildings could soon get an environmental makeover.

If the town’s plan is approved by the federal government, Chapel Hill will receive more than $550,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy to begin efficiency improvements in private and public buildings owned by the town.

The Chapel Hill Town Council sent the proposal to the energy department Thursday. The plan calls for the installation of solar panels and LED lights in government buildings to reduce fossil fuel-based energy consumption.

The grant is part of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The town has a maximum of three years to make the changes, said John Richardson, the town’s sustainability officer.

 He said early numbers suggest that the town could save up to $65,000 each year with the improvements.

“The government wants us to use this as seed money,” Richardson said. “We can hopefully create a self-sustaining program.”

The money will also go toward funding environmentally efficient appliances in public housing.

The town’s plan will go through a two-to-four month review process by the Department of Energy and will be approved if it meets all federal guidelines, Richardson said.

Council member Ed Harrison said he was happy to see the energy department taking a more active role with the needs of the local government.

“After watching the antagonistic relationship between the U.S. Department of Energy and local governments, it is pleasing to see the Department of Energy attempt to work with local governments,” he said.

Council member Penny Rich said the town has long been interested in moving in a more environmentally conscious direction.

“We need to move in a greener direction, whether it is for public housing or Town Council,” Rich said. “The council has been interested in this for a long time.”

She said the committee would like to see the money saved go into a revolving fund for more green projects.

Richardson said the money could allow the town to give tax breaks for homeowners to make similar changes to their homes.

He said the town does not intend to use tax money for the projects.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.