Green Activities - State of North Carolina

Advantage Green
AdvantageGreen is a program of the AdvantageWest Economic Development Group, which covers the 23 western counties of NC. AdvantageGreen supports the green economy of the NC mountains by serving as a resource for information on available grants, research, and publications and by facilitating networking of green economy leaders.

Biofuels Center of North Carolina
The Biofuels Center of NC is a private non-profit corporation charged with developing a large-scale, statewide biofuels industry sector to provide alternatives to imported petroleum fuels. The Center assists all parties statewide involved in the science, growing, production, and logistics of biofuels, and also addresses the educational, public information, and policy issues of a growing new sector. The Center uses a comprehensive approach to connect low-cost, sustainably-grown cellulosic feedstocks to appropriate technologies to produce advanced biofuels at scale across the state.

Catawba College Center for the Environment
The Center involves students, faculty, and staff of Catawba College and its many partners and volunteers in programs and activities that promote sustainable solutions in the community, the region, and beyond, using those programs as models to teach others. The sustainable facility that houses the Center serves as a model for green building practices. The facility is an effective teaching tool as well as a nationally recognized example of the sustainable use of the earth's resources.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the NC Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

Economic Developer’s Guide to the Renewable Energy Industries
The Guide is designed primarily as a tool to provide economic developers with information about the industries in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields so that they are able to identify growth opportunities appropriate for their area. It is an annual publication of the Appalachian Energy Center at Appalachian State University.

Energy Center at Appalachian State University
The Energy Center is committed to research, development, policy analysis and demonstrations in all areas of energy, with a stated mission to facilitate the work of faculty and students engaged in teaching, research and outreach activities associated with energy technologies, conservation, and policy.

EnergyXchange
At EnergyXchange, the methane gas is captured from a closed landfill and used as an energy source to power a hot shop for glass blowers and a pottery kiln and to supply radiant heat for the studios, greenhouses, education center, offices and art gallery. EnergyXchange has become one of the nation’s model energy recovery projects and is used regionally, nationally, and internationally as an example of successful small landfill gas projects.

Employment Trends in NC’s Recycling Industry 2010
The Recycling Business Assistance Center in the NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach conducted a study of recycling businesses in North Carolina to estimate private sector recycling-related employment. More than 630 private sector recycling businesses were surveyed and researched for employment data. The study was a follow-up to previous studies conducted in 1994, 2000, 2004 and 2008.

Green Square
The Green Square Complex is a two-block, multi-use sustainable development project that will bring North Carolina's state environmental offices and a nationally significant Nature Research Center to the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina's capital city. The Green Square Complex will enable the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences to promote stewardship by example to the general public, while providing experiential learning opportunities focused on the current scientific research and environmental issues affecting our daily lives.

NC Biodiesel Association
The North Carolina Biodiesel Association (NCBA) is the state trade association representing the biodiesel industry in NC. NCBA is member-driven with core programs around marketing, education, sustainability analysis and awareness, and proactively participating in the development and monitoring of policies at the state level.

NC Biomass Trader
NC BiomassTrader is NC’s marketplace for biomass, bio-based feedstocks, and bio-based energy products and fuels. This exchange service is designed to provide a marketplace for biomass materials that can be used in bio-based manufacturing, converted to energy, or used in energy generating processes or technologies.

NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
The goal of the Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance is to foster an ethic of environmental stewardship within businesses, industries, governments and the citizens of NC. This promotes greener business and industry, a better environment, and more efficient use of natural resources. DPPEA provides a wide range of non-regulatory technical assistance on the elimination, reduction, reuse, and recycling of wastes and the conservation of water and energy.

NC Green Economy Resource Directory
The purpose of the North Carolina Green Economy Resources Directory is to highlight local, regional, state, and national organizations that provide support, guidance, funding, incentives and education for North Carolina's green economy.

NC Energy Savings Task Force
NEST is an effort to effect early public adoption of energy efficient practices. NEST leverages the expertise of energy efficiency professionals to advance the sustainability and conservation goals of North Carolina. The NEST Taskforce recruits professionals already involved in providing electrical, lighting, and energy efficient services. By agreeing to participate in NEST, members receive training to educate their customers about the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, including conducting energy audits, and how to connect customers to available incentives and rebates.

NC GreenPower
NC GreenPower is an independent, nonprofit organization established to improve North Carolina's environment through voluntary contributions toward renewable energy and the mitigation of greenhouse gases. A landmark initiative approved by the NC Utilities Commission, NC GreenPower is the first statewide green energy program in the nation supported by all the state's utilities and administered by Advanced Energy, an independent nonprofit corporation located in Raleigh, NC. The goal of NC GreenPower is to supplement the state's existing power supply with more green energy - electricity generated from renewable energy sources like the sun, wind and organic matter.

NC Project Green
In the fall of 1998, North Carolina's state government was challenged to set an example of environmental stewardship in the way agencies operate and conduct business. Across state government, this challenge was heard and taken to heart. NC Project Green guides efforts to use resources & materials more efficiently & wisely, use purchasing power to protect the environment, and promote sustainable decision making.

NC Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industry Census
The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) conducts an annual statewide survey of firms operating in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. This survey presents a snapshot of the direct and indirect jobs associated with the renewable and energy efficiencies industries, and provides a topical analysis of industry dynamics and the core competencies of companies operating in this marketplace.

NC Small Wind Initiative
The North Carolina Small Wind Initiative is a public service program, sponsored by Appalachian State University and the NC State Energy Office, to raise awareness about the benefits and feasibility of wind power in the southern Appalachian region.

NC Solar Center
The North Carolina Solar Center represents a singular partnership among the State of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, and the sustainable energy industries. The mission of the North Carolina Solar Center is to advance the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building, and clean transportation resources to ensure a sustainable economy that protects our natural environment, encourages energy independence, and lowers energy costs for consumers. The Center will safeguard this sustainable energy future through programs to educate the public, share research and technical expertise, guide industry's energy decisions, and shape government policy.

NC Sustainability Association
The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit membership organization of individuals, businesses, government and non-profits interested in sustainable energy. Located in Raleigh, but active throughout the state, NCSEA works to ensure a sustainable future by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in North Carolina through education, public policy and economic development.

NC Waste Awareness and Reduction Network
NC WARN is a member-based 501(c)(3) organization tackling the accelerating crisis posed by climate change – along with the various risks of nuclear power – by watch-dogging utility practices and working for a swift NC transition to energy efficiency and clean power generation. In partnership with other citizen groups, NC WARN uses sound scientific research to inform and involve the public in key decisions regarding their wellbeing. NC WARN works through grassroots activism, technical analysis, legal challenges, and media exposure of problems and solutions.

NCSC Clean Transportation
Alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies are the focus of the Clean Transportation Program at NC State University’s Solar Center. Collaborating with government, non-profit and businesses, the Clean Transportation team works to improve air quality and energy security by diversifying fuel supplies and promoting economic development that utilizes local resources and cleaner technologies.

SustainableWNC.org
SustainableWNC.org is sponsored by the nonprofit Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) to serve as a web portal for businesses, nonprofits, citizens, and local governments working to promote the principles and practices of sustainability in western NC. This site provides links to information and organizations concerned with sustainability in areas such as transit, food, shelter, energy, and community building.

Triangle Clean Cities Coalition
Triangle Clean Cities Coalition is comprised of local & state government agencies, private companies, non-profit organizations, and interested individuals who are dedicated to accelerating the use of alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies to improve air quality and energy security in the greater Triangle Region of North Carolina.

Waste Reduction Partners
WRP, a partnership program of the NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance, with partial sponsorship by the NC State Energy Office, is administered by the Land-of-Sky Regional Council and the Triangle J Council of Governments. WRP’s team of highly experienced staff and volunteer retired engineers, architects, and scientists has helped over 1,300 businesses, non-profits, and public institutions save money through improved energy management, waste reduction strategies, and water conservation plans. WRP can provide technical assistance at no cost to any non-residential organization in NC through funding by government-sponsored grants, contracts, and private contributions.

Western NC Green Building Council
WNCGBC is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote environmentally sustainable and health conscious building practices through community education. The WNCGBC and the Asheville Home Builder Association offer the WNC HealthyBuilt Homes Program to builders in the Greater Asheville Area and the following NC counties: Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey. WNCGBC also maintains a Green Business Directory for western NC.