Workshop on “Energy Planning for Local
Governments” presented by Land-of-Sky
Regional Council on August 4, 2009

Sources include:  Local Government Environmental
Assistance Network, North Carolina League of
Municipalities, the “Solicitations” E-Newsletter
distributed through the Washington State
University Extension Energy Program, US
Department of Energy, and  US Environmental
Protection Agency.
The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
has focused increased
attention and funding on
the alternative fuel, energy
efficiency, and other clean
energy sectors.  ARRA
opportunities continue to
develop on the federal,
state, and local levels.  Our
staff gathers information on
the funding opportunities
and news related visit the
Land-of-Sky ARRA website
for a list of ARRA funding
opportunities and news.
The website is updated
weekly. Email Julie to
receive weekly email
bulletins about
ARRA-related news and
grants.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award Land-of-Sky Regional Council a Climate Showcase Grant
to fund the Reading, Riding and Retrofit project that will support environmental sustainability in public schools
throughout Buncombe County, North Carolina. The project will create energy efficient school building retrofits,
transportation system enhancements, recycling improvements and volunteer “Green Teams” to support the
schools.  The Climate Showcase Grant will directly support the annual reduction of Green House Gas emissions by
an estimated 1,129 tons. Land-of-Sky Regional Council will partner with Buncombe County and City of Asheville
school officials and other partners to lay the ground work for long term potential reduction of Green House Gas
emissions by more than 11,000 tons annually.
The Land-of-Sky Regional Council is pleased to announce that the City of Asheville received  the Local Energy
Assurance Planning (LEAP) grant from the US Department of Energy. This is the first time that the Department of
Energy will provide grants to local communities for energy assurance planning. The City of Asheville, in partnership
with 22 local governments, designed the Regional Fuel Project to plan for economic and emergency service
disruptions caused by the fuel shortages in Western North Carolina. This funding will further allow our region to
address dramatic, recurring and anticipated future fuel shortages and the need for revised and new energy
assurance plans.
Economic Stimulus Updates
Funding provided by:
U.S. Department of
Commerce – Economic
Development Administration,
N.C. Rural Center, and the
Appalachian Regional
Commission.
CLEAN ENERGY WNC
For more information,
contact Julie Lawhorn,
Regional Planner,
(828) 251-6622,
julie@landofsky.org