State Energy Office announces free technical assistance program for local governments

The North Carolina Energy Office and the N.C. Office of Economic Recovery and Investment announce the availability of two Requests for Proposals for energy efficiency projects – one for local government buildings and another for public schools and community college buildings. Funding comes through the federal Recovery Act’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program administered by the state Energy Office.

Ifnormation about both RFPs can be found at the State of North Carolina Interactive Purchasing System Web site.

Sealed proposals subject to the conditions delineated in the Request for Proposals will be received at: N.C. Energy Office, 1340 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1430; on multiple dates (Dec. 14, 2009, Dec. 31, 2009, Jan. 15, 2010 and Feb. 1, 2010) at 2 p.m. The SEO anticipates funding in the amount of $953,000 for each of the first three rounds, with an additional $4.29 million available for the fourth round. Projects that are not funded in an earlier round will automatically be reconsidered for succeeding rounds. The maximum reward in any contract will be $200,000.

Eligible projects include, but are not be limited to:

• Lighting retrofits;

• Installation of lighting control technology;

• Building envelope retrofit (for schools and community colleges only);

• Steam trap survey, repair and/or replacement (excluding boilers);

• Retro-commissioning of HVAC equipment and energy management systems;

• Installation of premium efficient motors and/or drives;

• Basic weatherization; and

• Heating and air conditioning analysis, optimization and repair.

For more information, contact the N.C. Energy Office at 919.733.2230.

The SEO has scheduled two training sessions for Wednesday Jan. 6, to help local governments with questions related to these funding opportunities. The sessions will be held at the Caswell Senior Center; 649 Firetower Road; Yanceyville, N.C. (Contact – Christopher Halpm (860-882-1515); and at Montgomery Community College; Room 105 Building 100, 1011 Page St.; Troy, N.C. (Contact – David Mahoney (704) 562-0339).