In early September, Blue Horizons Project, a program of local nonprofit Green Built Alliance, unveiled the Strategic Plan for Transitioning Buncombe County to 100% Renewable Energy by 2042. The Blue Horizons Project Community Council collaborated with energy experts, BIPOC focus groups, and city + county leaders, in addition to sourcing community input to create the plan. The plan includes three technical pathways that provide the framework for the transition to renewable energy — but the rest of the work depends on projects aiming to advance sustainable living.
Raising money for renewable energy
Here’s where you come in. To stay on track with achieving 100% renewable energy by 2042 and to keep its initiatives serving households in our area, Green Built Alliance has launched the Clean Energy Dream campaign. The campaign aims to raise $50,000 by the end of the year to meet the needs of the community through the three initiatives.
Green Built Alliance has three initiatives that are key players in helping the community reach its 2042 goal.
- Energy Savers Network: The program helps limited-income households across WNC, providing no-cost energy efficiency upgrades, including installing interior storm window inserts and insulating water heaters.
- Neighbor to Neighbor Solar: This program, created in 2021 and coordinated by Blue Horizons Project, funds solar energy systems for income-qualified residents of Buncombe County. Not only do the systems installed provide clean energy, but recipients can expect lower electric bills as a result.
- Appalachian Offsets: This program helps individuals and businesses calculate their carbon emissions and allows the opportunity to purchase carbon offsets, which fund renewable energy projects for local schools, churches, nonprofits, and affordable housing providers.
Offering support
You can also make a hands-on contribution by volunteering with the Energy Savers Network to weatherize client homes, build windows that reduce heat loss, or spread the word by canvassing.