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2024-212-E-AMS-EMPOWERment-Solar on Peach
COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION GRANT PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into the second day of April, 2024, (“Effective Date”) by and between the County of Orange, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, Post Office Box 8181, Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278, ("County") and EMPOWERment, Inc. a legal entity corporation, located at 109 N Graham St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (“Provider”). WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, it is in the interests of the County that said program be assisted by the County and thereby enhance its availability to residents of the County, and said program addresses an important community human services need, as identified by the Board of Commissioners. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and the mutual covenants and conditions hereafter set forth, the County and Provider agree as follows: 1. Term of the Agreement. The term of this Agreement shall be two years beginning April 2, 2024 to April 2, 2026. 2. Scope of Services. a. Provider will provide services, as outlined in the attached Community Climate Action Grant Program Application and any amendments or revision thereto which is attached as Exhibit “A” and incorporated by reference, to the residents of Orange County. The Scope of Services and the Program Budget may be different from the original application based on County appropriation; however, any revisions or amendments to this Agreement must be approved in writing by the County and attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B. b. The Provider shall be solely responsible for the means, methods, techniques, sequence, safety program and procedures necessary to properly and fully complete the work set forth in the Scope of Services. 3. Funding. a. The County agrees to appropriate for the provision of services described in Exhibit A, the Community Climate Action Grant Program Performance Application, Exhibit B, the Revised, Scope of Services and more particularly described in the Revised Program Budget, the maximum sum of $61,623. b. All funds appropriated shall be used for purposes described in Exhibit A. Any funds not used for the purposes stated shall be returned to the County. Any changes in the use of funds must be authorized in writing by the County prior to any expenditure of the funds by the Provider. If the funds are expended not in accordance with the Scope of Services, at the discretion of the County the Provider may be required to repay the funds to the County. c. The Provider shall be paid in installments in the amount of See Exhibit C to be paid as follows: See Exhibit C. The first payment is contingent upon receipt of the agency’s performance agreement; the remaining payments are contingent upon receipt of the request for reimbursement and related supporting documentation and performance outlined in the Revised Scope of Services and Project Budget in Exhibit B. If the project described in Exhibit A requires funds to be provided on a different or more accelerated schedule, the Provider may request an alternative payment schedule, which if approved, will be attached to this Agreement as Exhibit C, Alterative Payment Schedule. Should an Alternative Payment schedule be approved, the DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Provider will still be required to submit quarterly Progress Reports for the duration of the Term of the Agreement. d. The County’s obligation to make the quarterly payments is contingent upon receipt of Progress Reports, which show satisfactory progress toward completion of performance measures and an accounting of expenditures as detailed in the attached Exhibits B and C. e. Once Provider has satisfied its obligations as provided in (c) payment will be made 21 days after receipt of the Progress Report and Request for Reimbursement or 21 days after due date of Progress Report whichever is later. f. The County is not obligated to provide any other support to Provider in this or in succeeding fiscal years. 4. Agency Reporting. a. Provider will provide Orange County a Progress Report that includes a fiscal report and updates on performance measures as outlined in Exhibit B, Revised Scope of Services. . Progress Report dates are: January 1-March 31, April 1-June 30, July 1-September 30, and October 1-December 31. Reports are due on April 15, July 15, October 15, and January 15 of the program fiscal year. b. Provider agrees to allow the County to inspect its financial books and records, which document costs of those services, upon reasonable notice during normal working hours. 5. Termination. a. Termination for Cause. In the event of any of the circumstances set forth below (hereinafter referred to as “default”), the County may immediately terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part, and from time to time. Notice of termination must be in writing, state the reason or reasons for the termination, and specify the effective date of the termination: i. In the event that Provider shall cease to exist as an organization or shall enter bankruptcy proceedings, be declared insolvent, or liquidate all or substantially all of its assets, or significantly reduce its services or accessibility to Orange County residents during the term of this Agreement; or ii. In the event that Provider shall fail to render a satisfactory accounting as provided in section 4 above, the County may terminate this Agreement and Provider shall return all payments already made to it by the County for services which have not been provided or for which no satisfactory accounting has been rendered; or iii. In the event of any fraudulent representation by the Provider in an invoice or other verification required to obtain payment under this Agreement or other dishonesty on a material matter relating to the performance of services under this Agreement. iv. Nonperformance, incomplete service or performance, or failure to satisfactorily perform any part of the work identified in the Scope of Services or to comply with any provision of this Agreement, as determined by the County in its sole discretion. v. Failure to adhere to the terms of applicable county, state or federal laws, regulations, or stated public policy. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 b. In the event of default by the Provider, the county may elect to terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part and/or require the Provider to repay the funds within ten (10) business days from written notice of default. The County may (but shall not be required to) grant the Provider an opportunity to cure the default without termination of this Agreement. This clause shall not be interpreted to limit the County’s remedies in law or in equity. c. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate the agreement at any time without penalty; provided that written notice of such termination is furnished to the other party at least 30 days prior to termination. In the event of such termination, any payment due shall be prorated to the date of termination and any unused funds shall be returned to the County within 10 days of termination. d. Any termination of this Agreement for default under this section that is later deemed to be unjustified shall be deemed a termination for convenience. e. Waiver. The payment of any sums by the County under this Agreement or the failure of the County to require compliance by the Provider with any provisions of this Agreement or the waiver by the County of any breach of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any claim for damages by the County for any breach of this Agreement or a waiver of any other required compliance with this Agreement. 6. Responsibilities of the County. Cooperation and Coordination. The County has designated (Amy Eckberg) to act as the County's representative with respect to the Project who shall have the authority to render decisions within guidelines established by the County Manager or the County Board of Commissioners and who shall be available during working hours as often as may be reasonably required to render decisions and to furnish information. 7. Insurance. a. General Requirements. The Provider shall purchase and maintain, during the period of performance of this Agreement, insurance: i. Worker’s Compensation. For protection from claims under workers' or workmen's compensation acts; ii. Comprehensive General Liability Insurance covering claims arising out of or relating to bodily injury, including bodily injury, sickness, disease or death of any of the Consultant's employees or any other person and to real and personal property including loss of use resulting thereof; iii. Comprehensive Automobile Liability Insurance, including hired and non-owned vehicles, if any, covering personal injury or death, and property damage; and iv. Professional Liability Insurance, covering personal injury, bodily injury and property damage and claims arising out of or related to the performance under this Agreement by the Consultant or his agents, consultants and employees. v. Sexual Misconduct. Sexual Abuse/Molestation Insurance is required when Provider works directly one-on-one with children, elderly or other at-risk populations. b. Limits of Coverage: Minimum limits of insurance coverage shall be as follows: DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 INSURANCE DESCRIPTION MINIMUM REQUIRED COVERAGE • Worker's Compensation Limits for Coverage A - Statutory State NC & Coverage B - Employers Liability $500,000 each accident, disease policy limit and disease each employee • Commercial General $1,000,000 Each Occurrence Liability $2,000,000 Aggregate • Automobile Liability $500,000 Combined Single Limit • Professional Liability $1,000,000 Each Occurrence $2,000,000 Aggregate • Sexual Misconduct $1,000,000 Each Occurrence $2,000,000 Aggregate c. All insurance policies (with the exception of Worker's Compensation and Professional Liability) required under this Agreement shall name the County as an additional insured party and as a certificate holder. For more information see the Orange County Risk Transfer Policy and Orange County Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements, (each document is incorporated herein by reference and may be viewed at http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/purchasing_division/contracts.php.) Evidence of such insurance and all correspondence shall be sent to: Orange County Risk Manager Post Office Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 d. Nothing in this section is intended to affect or abrogate the County’s sovereign immunity defenses. 8. General Provisions. a. Governing Law. This Agreement and the duties, responsibilities, obligations and rights of respective parties hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina. By executing this Agreement Provider affirms that Provider and any subcontractors of Provider are and shall remain in compliance with Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the North Carolina General Statutes. By executing this Agreement Provider certifies that Provider has not been identified, and has not utilized the services of any agent or subcontractor identified, on the list created by the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-86.58. By executing this Agreement Provider certifies that Provider has not been identified, and has not utilized the services of any agent or subcontractor identified, on the list created by the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-86.81. b. Non-Discrimination. Provider agrees as part of consideration of the granting of funds by Orange County the parties hereto for themselves, their agents, officials, employees and servants agree not to discriminate in any manner of these basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, handicap, religion, sexual orientation, familial status or veterans status with reference to any activities carried out by the grantee, no matter how remote. The parties hereto further agree in all respects to conform to the provision and intent of Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance, as amended and the Orange County Non-discrimination Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference and can be viewed at http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/purchasing_division/contracts.php. The County may enforce this provision by an action for specific performance, injunctive relief, or other remedy as by law provided; this provision shall be binding on the grantees, the successors and assigns of the parties hereto with reference to the above subject manner. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 c. Dispute Resolution. Any and all suits or actions to enforce, interpret or seek damages with respect to any provision of, or the performance or non-performance of, this Agreement shall be brought in the General Court of Justice of North Carolina sitting in Orange County, North Carolina. It is agreed by the parties that no other court shall have jurisdiction or venue with respect to such suits or actions. Binding arbitration may not be initiated by either Party, however, the Parties may agree to nonbinding mediation of any dispute prior to the bringing of such suit or action. d. Living Wage. Orange County is committed to providing its employees with a living wage and encourages agencies if funds to pursue the same goal. The Orange County Living Wage Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference, can be viewed at: http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/purchasing_division/contracts.php. The County’s living wage is $16.60 per hour. To the extent possible, Orange County recommends that Provider provide a living wage to its employees. e. Relationship of the Parties. Provider is an independent contractor of the County. Provider represents that they have or will secure, at his own expense, all personnel required in performing the services under this Agreement. Such personnel shall not be employees or have any contractual relationship with the County. All personnel engaged in work under this Agreement shall be fully qualified and shall be authorized and permitted under federal, state and local law to perform such services. f. Compliance with all Laws. The Provider, at its sole expense, shall comply with all laws, ordinances, orders and regulations of the federal, state or local governments, as well as their respective departments, commissions, boards, and officers, which are in effect at the time of execution of this Agreement or are adopted at any time following execution of this agreement. g. Subcontract. The County and Provider deem the services provided under this Agreement to be personal in nature and Provider may not subcontract any rights or duties under this Agreement to any other party without prior written consent from the County. h. Assignment. The Provider shall not assign this Agreement, including the rights to payment, to any other party without the prior written consent of the County. i. Indemnification. Provider agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the County, for all loss, liability, claims or expense (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising from bodily injury, including death or property damage, to any person or persons caused in whole or in part by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Provider, except to the extent same are caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the County. It is the intent of this section to require Provider to indemnify the County to the extent permitted under North Carolina law. Nothing in this section is intended to affect or abrogate the County’s sovereign immunity defenses. j. Non-Appropriation. This Agreement is subject to the availability of funds to purchase the specified services and may be terminated at any time if such funds become unavailable. k. Severability. All clauses found herein shall act independently of each other. If a clause is found to be illegal or unenforceable, it shall have no effect on the other provisions of this Agreement. It is understood by the parties hereto that if any part, term or provision of this Agreement is by the Courts held to be illegal or in conflict with any laws of the State of North Carolina or the United States, the validity of the remaining portions or provisions shall not be affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be invalid. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 l. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire and integrated agreement between the County and the Provider and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations or agreements, either written or oral. This Agreement may be amended only by written instrument signed by both parties. Modifications may be evidenced by facsimile signatures. m. Notices. Any notice required by this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested to the following: Orange County Provider’s Name: EMPOWERment, Inc. Attention: Amy Eckberg Attention: Delores Bailey P.O. Box 8181 Address: 109 N Graham St. Hillsborough, NC 27278 Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Email:aeckberg@orangecountync.gov Email: empowermentincnc@gmail.com n. Signatures. This Agreement together with any amendments or modifications may be executed electronically. All electronic signatures affixed hereto evidence the intent of the Parties to comply with Article 11A and Article 40 of North Carolina General Statute Chapter 66. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Orange County and the Provider have signed this Agreement, effective on the last date this Agreement is signed by both parties as indicated by the dates set forth under signatures below. For and on behalf of the Provider _____________________________ _______________________ , Date For and on behalf of Orange County Government _______________________________ ________________________ Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager Date DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Executive Director 4/2/2024 4/9/2024 ORANGE COUNTY—INTERNAL USE ONLY ______________________________________________________________________________ Finance Information Vendor Name: EMPOWERment, Inc. Vendor Contact Person: Delores Bailey Phone:919-967-8779 Address: 109 N Graham St. City Chapel Hill State: NC Zip:27516 Department: County Manager Amount: $61,623 Purpose: Solar on Peach Apartments Budget Code(s): 61370035-803090-30052 Vendor # 700658 Vendor Status with NCSOS: Vendor is a BOCC consultant: Yes X No Contract Details Contract Type: New Amendment (Original Contract: ) (Most Recent Amendment ) Effective Date 4/2/24 End Date 4/2/26 Notice Date (Notice Purpose ) Award X Approved by Board (Agenda Date: 12/12/23); Made or Administered by Signature Authority - BOCC Express Delegation (Agenda Date: ) - Policy 9.4: Under $5,000; Service Under $90,000; Construction Under $250,000 - Budget Policy Section XV (Capital Improvement Project: ) Bidding Informal Bidding ($30k-$90k); Formal RFP ($90k+); Other (<$30k); Exception(# ) Department Affirmation X This agreement is approved as to technical form and content and I as Department Director affirmatively state work on this project has not been initiated prior to execution of the agreement. Services related to this agreement have already begun or been completed. Description of the nature of the emergency condition that was addressed: Department Director’s Signature ________________________________________ Date: ________ Information Technologies This agreement has been reviewed and is approved as to information technology content and specifications: Office of the Chief Information Officer___________________________________ Date: ________ Inapplicable because no hardware/software purchases or related services Risk Management This agreement is approved for sufficiency of insurance standards, specifications, and requirements: Office of the Risk Management Officer___________________________________ Date: _________ Financial Services This instrument has been pre-audited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act: Office of the Chief Financial Officer ____________________________________ Date: _________ Legal Services This agreement is approved as to legal form and sufficiency: Office of the County Attorney __________________________________________Date: ________ Clerk to the Board All Docusign contracts must be copied to the Clerk upon completion: occlerkdocs@orangecountync.gov The following signature block is for hard copies only and is not required for Docusign contracts: Received for record retention: Office of the Clerk to the Board __________________________________________Date:_________ DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 4/3/2024 4/8/2024 4/9/2024 4/9/2024 Exhibit A Community Climate Action Grant Program Application FY23-24 Board of County Commissioners Agenda 12-12-23 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Exhibit B Community Climate Action Grant Program’s Revised Scope of Services and Program Budget N/A DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Climate Action Grant Program Revised 1/24 Page 10 of 10 Exhibit C Community Climate Action Grant Program’s Alternative Payment Schedule Payments of the $61,623 in three installments: $20,541 when 25% of the solar installation has been completed $20,541 when 50% has been completed, and $20,541 when the entire solar project has been completed. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 EMPOWERment, Inc. Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Program Performance Agreement Page 11 of 10 Rev.1/24 ATTACHMENT “A” Orange County Certifications – FY 2023-2024 Community Climate Action Grant Performance Agreement Chief Contact, Administrators, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer I certify that I have provided a list of the chief contact, administrators, chief executive officer and chief financial officer for my agency with this Agreement and that I will keep it current to the County of Orange. The list should be in writing with the name, title, residential address; phone and email address and if possible, fax number. Officers and Board of Directors I certify that I have provided a current list of the Officers and Board of Directors with this Agreement and that we will continue to update the list as changes occur. The list should be in writing, with the name, physical address, mailing address and if possible, phone, fax and email address. Budget Submission I certify that I have provided a budget for the period to be covered by funding Orange County, and that any substantive changes made to this budget have been in advance authorized in writing by Orange County. Annual Financial Review I certify that I have provided a copy of the latest annual Financial Review for our agency and the budget adopted by the agency for the fiscal years encompassing this Agreement. If not, please explain on a separate sheet of paper. Alignment with Organization’s Mission I certify that the programs and services for which this funding is requested align with the mission of the organization. Intended Purpose I certify that the funds provided to the agency under the terms of this Agreement will be used for a public purpose and shall only be used for the purposes intended and any money not used for those purposes will be promptly returned to Orange County. Certified by: _______________________ Title: __________________________ Date: ___________ (Provider’s Signature) DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Executive Director 4/2/2024 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Page 5 of 14 1. Date of Incorporation (Month/Year): 2. Applicant organization’s Purpose/Mission (2-4 sentences): 3. Please provide a brief description of your organization’s past achievements in carrying out similar projects and evidence of successful record of meeting proposed budgets and timetables (2-4 sentences): 4. Living Wage: Does this organization pay permanent employees a minimum living wage? (Yes / No) If yes, is this organization an Orange County Living Wage Certified Employer? (Yes / No) If no, please briefly explain. 5. Schedule of Positions: a. Number of Full-Time Paid Positons: b. Number of Part-Time Paid Positions: c. Number of volunteers: Average hours worked per volunteer per month Collaborators: Please provide the following information about all significant collaborators and partners whether or not they will be receiving grant funding for this project. Feel free to copy and paste Questions “a” through ”e” as needed if you have more than one significant collaborator/partner: a. Date of Incorporation (Month/Year): b. Applicant organization’s Purpose/Mission (2-4 sentences): 6/1996 To empower individuals and communities to achieve their destiny through community engagement, affordable housing and economic development. EI has been providing affordable housing for more than 20 years. This has included community engagement in marginalized communities of Orange County. This project will combine our experience in building, renovating, and new construction with SolarEquity's expertise to provide energy savings for the low-income affordable housing rental community. Though this is the first solar energy project, we are confident this will be completed on time and budget like many of EI's housing projects in the past. Yes EmPOWERment Inc (EI) pays its employees a living wage. Yes, EI is an Orange County Living Wage Certified Employer. SolarEquity is a non-profit comprised of UNC student volunteers. 3 2 70 150 06/1996 EmPOWERment Inc.'s mission is to empower individuals and communities to determine their destiny through community engagement, affordable housing and grassroots economic development. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Page 6 of 14 c. Please provide a brief description of your organization’s past achievements in carrying out similar projects and evidence of successful record of meeting proposed budgets and timetables (2-4 sentences): d. Living Wage: Does this organization pay permanent employees a minimum living wage? (Yes / No) If yes, is this organization an Orange County Living Wage Certified Employer? (Yes / No) If no, please briefly explain. e. Schedule of Positions: a. Number of Full-Time Paid Positons: b. Number of Part-Time Paid Positions: c. Number of volunteers: Average hours worked per volunteer per month Project Information *Please submit for each project if applying for funding for more than one project. 6. Project Name: 7. Please briefly describe the proposed project and the target population to benefit from the program. How many people will benefit? (100-300 words) EmPOWERment will partner with SolarEquity whose experience has been as a key stakeholder in the installation of rooftop solar on 15 HFH homes in Orange County, securing the donation of 260 panels while also donating $10,000 to help cover labor costs. They are also working with CASA, a local non-profit that provides affordable housing, to install rooftop solar on the Bryan Place Apartments in Durham County. Yes EmPOWERment Inc (EI) pays its employees a living wage. Yes, EI is an Orange County Living Wage Certified Employer. SolarEquity is a non-profit comprised of UNC student volunteers. 3 2 70 150 Rooftop Solar on EmPOWERment's Peach Apartments EmPOWERment Inc. (EI) is building an apartment building. As a partner, SolarEquity will install rooftop solar on The PEACH Apartments, a rental complex for ten low-income and very low-income families. Installing rooftop solar will mitigate carbon emissions while decreasing the target population’s energy burden. Grant funding will be dedicated to establishing a 42.075 kW system, reducing each apartment unit’s energy bill by an average of $46 monthly. There will be 2- studio apartments, 4- one-bedroom units, 3- two-bedroom units, and 1 -three-bedroom units. The rooftop solar installation will benefit around 26 individuals on average at any given time. Since the apartments are available for rent, the lifetime of the solar panels is projected to be 30 years. The system will likely benefit far more than ten different families, depending on the tenant turnover rate. EI will receive a reduced energy bill from Duke Energy. The savings will be passed on to the tenants based on the number of bedrooms per unit. The apartments are only available to those earning 30% AMI, ensuring that the benefits of reduced energy bills are restricted to very low-income people subjected to overwhelming energy burdens. EI’s clients are comprised of low-wealth and communities of color. Of EI’s 62 owned and managed households, 50% are African American, 39% are Hispanic, and 10% are White, the remainder identifying as “Other.” 74.8% of the heads of household are women, and 85% are African American or Latino. Of the twelve units in the Pine Knolls community, 80% of the homes are African American, with 60% having female heads of households. The construction of the PEACH Apartments will be completed in 1Q of 2024, and the solar installation will take place in the weeks after that. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Page 7 of 14 8. Please choose the best description for the type of project: ☐ Infrastructure/Clean Tech: New ☐ Infrastructure/Clean Tech: Repair ☐ Infrastructure/Clean Tech: Replacement ☐ Communication/Education ☐ Natural Systems Management/Restoration ☐ Circular Economy/Waste reduction ☐ Analysis/Plan ☐ Other (Please describe): 9. Please choose the primary climate change mitigation focus for this project (select all that apply): ☐ Energy Efficiency ☐ Renewable Energy ☐ Beneficial Electrification ☐ Carbon Sequestration ☐ Other (Please describe): 10. Has your organization or have your collaborators/partners completed projects of this type in the past? If so, what funds were used? ☐ Yes ☐ Funding used (Please describe): ☐ No 11. If this project is not selected for funding in this round, what other funding might be used to support it within the next 5 years? ☐ Other capital or operational funds ☐ None. This is a unique opportunity. ☐ Unknown (please describe): 12. Please select the jurisdiction(s) where your project is focused and briefly state how your project aligns with the relevant Climate Action Plans (2-4 sentences). Please name the action items from each relevant plan that best align with your proposed project: ☐ Carrboro: https://townofcarrboro.org/928/Community-Climate- Action-Plan ☐ Chapel Hill: https://www.sustainchapelhill.org/featured/2020/2/18/climate- action-and-response-plan ☐ Orange County: In progress, please instead show alignment with the Orange County BOCC Goals and Priorities. This proposed project aligns with the above plan(s) in the following ways: n n n n ■ Yes, The solarization of HFH homes in Orange County was enabled by donations from Swedish Match, Strata Clean Energy, and grant funds from the Orange County Community Climate Action Fund Program.n This project will likely only be completed through funds acquired from grants. Both Carrboro and Chapel Hill have Climate Action Plans. The Climate Plan stipulates that the town of Chapel Hill will see a 50% reduction in Greenhouse Gases by 2030. This rooftop solar installation will reduce energy demand in PEACH Apartments by over 50% during the next 30 years, thereby decreasing emissions by the same percentage. Moreover, the project establishes a precedent for future affordable housing projects and encourages projects to adopt renewable energy rather than natural gas. This will help Chapel Hill attain its goal of having 80% clean, renewable energy by 2030. n DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Page 8 of 14 Collaborators and Partners In some projects, collaborators and partners provide essential capacity and connections. If collaborators or partners are an essential part of your project whether or not they are receiving grant funds, please use this section to provide more details. If you are not working with collaborators or partners, please feel free to write N/A in this section and move to the Social Justice and Racial Equity section. 13.Please describe one to three key partnerships/collaborations that add the most value to the success of the proposed project: Criterion 1 - Social Justice and Racial Equity 14.Who will directly or indirectly benefit from your project? Please be as specific as possible on the characteristics of those who will benefit including, gender, race, age, income level and geographic location. Also, what are the demographics of the area where your project takes place? Does your project help to address any racial disparities in the location it is proposed for? Please list any data sources used and show the steps of any calculations: 15.Please describe any ways in which low-income or marginalized communities/households were engaged in the creation of this project proposal: Collaboration between EmPOWERment and SolarEquity: EI’s partnership with SolarEquity, a 501(c)(3), is paramount to the proposed solarization of the PEACH Apartments. SolarEquity provides funding and labor to ensure the project is completed. The organization consists entirely of UNC students passionate about renewable energy and its ability to decrease energy burdens for disadvantaged people in our community. By partnering with SolarEquity, EI will further its interest in solar energy within the larger community, including UNC, and play a role in cultivating the next generation of environmental stewards. Moreover, by affiliating with a University based organization, EI exposes young people to other parts of the community, potentially stimulating increased investment and activity from those within the UNC community. Collaboration between EmPOWERment and the PEACH Apartment Tenants: The proposed project's success is contingent upon both mitigated energy burdens and the proliferation of renewables in low-income areas in Orange County. Educating PEACH Apartments’ tenants on the value of renewable energy will create solar advocates, potentially leading to increased solar adoption amongst friends and families in the area. The project and partnership with the PEACH Apartment tenants will be a paragon for other low-income housing developers looking to make a difference in their communities. Collaboration between EmPOWERment and NC Solar Now: The successful solarization of The PEACH Apartments is only possible with collaboration with NC Solar Now. EI has long been interested in solarizing many of its rental properties across Orange County. After completion of the project at hand, EI will look to catalyze an influx of solar to Orange County through a partnership with NC Solar Now. The collaboration between these two organizations creates value in the short term and can change the renewables landscape for Orange County in the future. The PEACH Apartments are located in Pine Knolls, a historically Black neighborhood in Chapel Hill, Orange County, NC, that has since become a mixed-income, mixed-ethnicity neighborhood. For context, Chapel Hill is 71.28% White, 13.52% Asian, 10.24% Black or African American, and 3.68% two or more races. EI owns twelve units in the Pine Knolls community. Construction of the PEACH Apartments will strengthen the socially and ethnically diverse neighborhood. PEACH will help address the rising affordable housing disparities in the past 20 years. EI’s client base is unique from any other non-profit in the region. The inventory includes apartments, scattered-site single-family homes, and manufactured homes. Historically EI’s targeted communities have been marginalized communities of color or low wealth. Of EI’s 62 owned and managed households, 50% are African American, 39% are Hispanic, and 10% are White, with the remainder identifying as “Other”. 74.8% of the heads of household are women, and of those, 85% are African American or Latino. 55.4% of the clients are between the ages of 19 and 51. 29.2% have been above the age of 51, the remaining 15.3% are below 18. Of the twelve units in the Pine Knolls community, 80% of the households are African American, with 60% headed by women. EI firmly believes that tenants of the PEACH Apartments, who will benefit from reduced electricity bills, will align with the demographics outlined above. Marginalized communities were not initially involved in creating this project proposal, but once the idea was presented, EI came aboard quickly to represent marginalized communities. Collaborating with SolarEquity allowed EI to reconsider solar panels for PEACH and the savings they would bring to PEACH residents. EI's community engagement experience has been pivotal in engaging marginalized communities in creating this project. EI keeps a constant pulse on its targeted communities through virtual meetings, emails, and community events. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Page 9 of 14 16.Please describe any potential negative side effects of the project and describe the steps you are taking/will take to eliminate or minimize these impacts to any low-income or marginalized communities/households: 17.Are the impacted residents already aware of the potential positive and negative impacts of your project and the steps you are taking? If not, please describe your plan to engage with them and how you will act based on their input: 18.During and after the project, what will your continued engagement with the community be? 19.Please describe any other aspect of your project that is relevant to Social Justice and Racial Equity: Criterion 2 - Emissions Reduced 20.How many tons of greenhouse gas emissions will your project reduce/avoid each year? Please list any data sources used and show the steps of any calculations. Feel free to submit in a separate document if clearly labelled: 21.For how many years will this emissions reduction take place as a result of your project? Please consider the expected lifetime of the technology/program/impact etc. Solar arrays require plentiful sun exposure. The PEACH Apartments are being built in a wooded area. Although trees are being cut down to accommodate the physical buildings and the parking lot, up to 6 additional trees may need to be cut down to ensure adequate sun exposure, which has the potential to affect this project negatively. Some of these are pine trees which don’t sequester as much carbon as other leafier species of trees. Removal of pine trees reduces the potential damage to the building should they fall. However, cutting down trees reduces their ability to act as a carbon sink and also reduces shade for tenants. To minimize these impacts, EI is providing landscaping for tenants. These trees will be tall enough to provide shade yet low enough to avoid blocking the panels from the sun. More importantly, installing rooftop solar will more than offset the environmental impact of cutting down a few trees to allow for more sunlight. Over its 30-year lifespan, the solar array will also prevent 2.15 million pounds of carbon from entering the atmosphere, the equivalent of planting around 19,600 trees. 2.15 million pounds of carbon is equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 740 mature trees. After 30 years, the solar panels installed on the PEACH Apartments will still provide 70% of their original output. Orange County already has a robust secondary market for used solar panels that figures to grow significantly over the next 30 years. For instance, Habitat Restores already resells used solar panels. Moreover, due to the rapid deployment of solar panels nationally, recycling solar panel materials will be readily available when installed panels are decommissioned. The project's negative effects will not affect residents; they will only benefit from reduced energy costs. Any adverse effects will be absorbed by EmPOWERment. This project requires that energy be treated as an amenity from a billing perspective. EI will pay the energy bill monthly and divide the costs amongst the ten apartment units. The division of the energy bill will be based on the number of bedrooms in each unit. Since EI won’t track energy usage on a team-by-unit basis, tenants will feel less motivated to be energy conscious daily. To generate buy-in and educate the tenants on the solar project, EI will acquire literature from NC Solar Now and hold a joint workshop for EI clients, including PEACH Apartment residents, SolarEquity, and NC Solar Now. This workshop will be held over Zoom and will focus on the benefits of rooftop solar and ways to reduce energy demand. At the PEACH Apartments’ ribbon-cutting ceremony, EI will provide an educational fridge magnet to the new residents. The appeal was designed by Give Solar, a solar non-profit based out of Virginia that installs rooftop solar on affordable housing projects. The request outlines ten ways to decrease energy usage, which can be found here: https://give.solar/solar-access-toolbox-for-homeowners/s olar-access-toolbox-homeowner-tips-for-smaller-electric- bills/ EI is obtaining solar equipment from a high-quality panel provider, Maxon. It’s important to note that the panels installed have a 30-year warranty and will require little to no maintenance. If the project succeeds, Maxon is considering partnering with EI to solarize their Midway Business Center and several rental properties over the coming years. On the other hand, inverters have a warranty of 12-15 years. EmPOWERment must anticipate replacing their inverters after 15 years. Nonetheless, inverters will likely cost only a few hundred dollars as the photovoltaic industry figures to expand rapidly in coming years, driving down the price of equipment. It is important to EmPOWERment Inc that the solarization of the PEACH Apartments will be the first of many. EI has long been a significant player in providing affordable housing in Orange County and will continue to be a partner in affordable housing rental. Since its creation in 1996, EI has provided 62 affordable rental units and three privately owned homes. Their legacy in Orange County is solidified and will only continue to grow as they plan on staying in the same geographic location. While Empowerment has successfully managed several properties over the years, the PEACH Apartments represent their first construction of new affordable housing units to address the demand of families earning at or below 30% AMI. This project marks SolarEquity’s first attempt at solarizing a multifamily development. PEACH will be the initial step in establishing a working partnership, allowing EMPOWERment to continue constructing more rental housing in marginalized communities. The median income of residential solar adopters in the United States is $110,000. The median household income in the United States is $79,000. Thus, one can conclude that the average adopter of residential solar makes considerably more money than the average U.S. citizen. This presents an equity issue as climate change disproportionately affects low-income individuals who don’t have the income to combat rising temperatures and extreme weather events personally. To make matters worse, the bottom 50% of earners emit just 7% of carbon emissions globally, underlining that low-income people contribute less to climate change and suffer more from its effects. The percentage of residential solar installations in Disadvantaged Communities doubled from 5% to 11% in 2021, while Disadvantaged Communities make up 18% of US households as a whole, so they remain underrepresented relative to their share of the population. Aside from facts, figures, and accomplishments, EmPOWERment, Inc. has become a listening ear, a helping hand, and a trusted friend to many people in our communities. Statistics, rubrics, or graphs cannot measure some successes but instead lie in the social capital of connecting people with the tools to construct their dreams into reality. By alleviating the energy burdens of PEACH Apartment residents, residents will have more time and resources to reinvest in each other, perpetuating a cycle of community engagement and lifting families out of poverty. The installation of a 42.075 kW system on the PEACH Apartments will generate 1,556,230 kWh over a 30-year time period. To find this number, we estimated that the panels will have a .45% degradation rate over the 30-year time period. This level of energy production will prevent 2.15 million pounds of carbon or 1,075 metric tons from entering the atmosphere. This value was calculated with the official EPA carbon emissions calculator and has been corroborated by NC Solar Now. For every dollar granted through the Orange County Climate Action Fund Grant, 18.8 pounds of carbon will be prevented from entering the atmosphere. Assumptions: 639.7 lbs CO2e/MWh = 0.6397 lbs CO2e/kWh, 0.6397 lbs CO2e/kWh * 0.4536 = 0.290 kg CO2e/kWh Emissions factor (kg CO2e/kWh): 0.29 The emissions reduction will occur over the 30-year lifespan of the panels. The panels will operate at 70% of their initial capacity at the end of their 30-year lifetime. Nonetheless, given the likely increase in the cost of electricity, we expect that monthly savings will be higher than at the outset of the project. Duke Energy recently passed a rate change through the North Carolina Utilities Commission that’ll increase energy costs by 15.7% by the beginning of 2026. Since energy costs will be higher, the value of prevented natural gas use will also increase. EI will then split the remaining portion of the bill amongst the ten units. To ensure that the remaining energy bill will be split equitably amongst the units, the account will be divided based on the number of bedrooms within each department. For example, the 3-bedroom team will pay three times as much on energy as the 1-bedroom unit. These additional savings will automatically be passed onto the residents of the Peach Apartments. EmPOWERment will not need to change its billing structure or rates to share the increase in savings with tenants. If we are left with excess funds after claiming a 40% direct pay rebate, the money will be used for the solarization of EI’s small business incubator, The Midway Business Center. We will expand on this point in other sections of the grant application. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Page 10 of 14 22. Please describe the location of the emissions reduction. Where would fossil fuels have been burned if not for your project? For projects creating electricity usage reductions, it can be difficult to determine the location of the power produced. Please feel free to state “Grid-tied electricity reduction” 23. Please describe any other aspect of your project that is relevant to the amount of emissions that it will reduce or avoid. Criterion 3 - Efficient use of Funds 1. Please estimate the impact of your project per grant dollar requested. This cost per unit of impact must reflect the total program budget divided by the total impact of the project described in this application. If the proposed project is new, please write N/A in the first column of the table below, and just fill out the second column. Actual Annual Project Costs (If your proposed project expands or accelerates an ongoing effort) Projected Project Costs Total Cost of Project Unit of Impact: Total # of tons of greenhouse gases reduced Cost Per Ton of GHG’s Reduced Unit of Impact: Total # of individuals served/benefitted Cost Per Individual Served/Benefitted Other Unit of Impact: Please describe here Cost Per Unit of Impact Other Unit of Impact: Please describe here Cost Per Unit of Impact (Please feel free to add rows if necessary to show any additional units of impact.) 24. Please describe any avoided financial costs or savings related to the project and over what period of time those costs will be avoided/reduced: Grid-tied electricity reduction Located in downtown Chapel Hill, on a bus route and within walking distance of The University of North Carolina and NC Memorial Hospital, the project will motivate community members to leverage public amenities available to them. For families that earn at or below 30% AMI, every area where there is an opportunity to save is critical. More importantly, the PEACH Apartments will have all electric appliances. This has dramatic positive health effects for the tenants of the apartment units, especially for young children. Moreover, the complex will be built to the ASHRAE 90.2 energy efficiency standards, underlining EmPOWERment’s desire to both decrease energy demand and increase the supply of clean energy. The PEACH Apartments exceed ASHRAE energy efficiency mandates by an average of 20%. In fact, the building envelope's energy efficiency exceeds ASHRAE mandates by 35-40%. The PEACH Apartment’s energy efficiency, paired with rooftop solar, will markedly reduce energy burdens and establish a new paradigm for low-income housing complexes across the state. $114,343 1,075 $106.36 156 $732.96 The two costs of our project are purchasing solar panels and the cost of installing them. The saving on the price will occur on the day of installation and will be one-time cost savings. By installing solar panels, we will generate clean and renewable energy and offset the need to purchase electricity from traditional sources. Over the project's lifespan, the residents will experience reduced electricity bills and potentially even generate excess electricity that can be sold back to the grid. It will save approximately every tenant $46 a month. EmPOWERment will pay the reduced energy bill from Duke Energy. They will then divide the energy bill cost amongst the ten apartment units and include the costs in monthly rent bills. The energy bill will be divided based on the number of bedrooms in each unit. For example, the 3-bedroom family will pay three times as much on energy as the 1-bedroom family. As a result, EI will recoup its cost, and tenants will be billed a reduced sum on energy. Solar panels generally require minimal maintenance and have a long lifespan. EI will be responsible for the maintenance of solar equipment. This large 42 kW solar array will cover a significant portion of the roof. That part of the roof covered by the display will wear less quickly because the panels protect it. This is adding the solar array at the time of building construction instead of retrofitting the building, which results in a small but significant saving. Likewise, running conduit is cheaper for the General Contractor’s electrician, who, unlike the solar installer, will not need to make a memorable trip to the building site. EI’s property tax on this building will NOT increase due to the addition of the solar array. North Carolina does not tax the increase in property value realized by installing photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Page 11 of 14 25. Does your project accelerate or expand on existing programs that already show positive impact? 26. Does your project also take advantage of other funding sources? 27. Would your proposed project help you to take advantage of funding from other sources besides this grant in the future? 28. Please describe any other aspect of your project that is relevant to the efficient use of grant funds: Criterion 4 - Capacity of Applicant 29. Please describe any projects that you have completed successfully in the past which are similar to the project you are proposing: 30. If you are proposing to collaborate with other organizations on this project, please briefly describe their relevant experience to the project and/or the target population: 31. Please describe any other relevant expertise or capacity to carry out the project in your application: Criterion 5 - Local Economic Development 32. How many Orange County residents are employed by your organization? By solarizing the PEACH Apartments, EI is helping SolarEquity build upon its previous success of assisting the solarization of Habitat for Humanity homes. The 15 Habitat for Humanity homes are on Odie Street in Orange County. The houses were installed with 5.4kW systems to prevent 300,000 pounds of carbon from entering the atmosphere each. The homeowner response to solar has been overwhelmingly positive, as energy burdens have decreased by 65%. The project at the Peach Apartments highlights a commitment to extending the benefits of solar energy to a broader community of even lower-income households. By collaborating with SolarEquity, EmPOWERment will leverage its expertise and resources to amplify the positive impact of solar energy on low-income housing. By continuing the work begun by Habitat for Humanity, EmPOWERment stimulates the proliferation of solar adoption amongst low-income housing in Orange County. Moreover, it will establish EmPOWERment as a leader in solarizing affordable housing in the state, increasing the likelihood of investment from other sources. Few affordable housing projects are solarized in North Carolina despite their ability to lessen energy burdens on low-income tenants. The project will serve as a paragon for other housing developers in the state and will likely lead to increased rooftop solar adoption in Orange County. This point is especially notable given the robust marketing effort EmPOWERment is developing with SolarEquity, NC Solar Now, and Maxeon. Yes. EmPOWERment has agreed to contribute $1,000, and SolarEquity has agreed to contribute $7,200 to this solar project. Additionally, East Chapel Hill Rotary has agreed to donate $1,000, and the Kenan Institute has pledged $500. NC Solar Now has offered a $10,519 discount on the installation of the system given EmPOWERment’s role in the community and the demographic that the project is targeting. In addition to the Orange County Community Climate Action Grant, EI has actively sought funding from various sources to support rooftop solar installation at the PEACH Apartments. SolarEquity has pledged $7,200, and EmPOWERment has committed to the solar project. East Chapel Hill Rotary and the Green Team have donated $1,000, and the Kenan Institute has donated $500. NC Solar Now has offered a $10,519 discount on installing the system in the form of a direct donation. Their support demonstrates the community's commitment to promoting renewable energy. Completing this project would bring significant cachet to EmPOWERment and SolarEquity’s partnership and increase the likelihood of successful rooftop solar initiatives for low-income housing in the future. Each of the stakeholders of this project has agreed to maximize the project’s visibility. The additional attention will attract potential donors who will be more willing to donate funds to rooftop solar projects in the future. SolarEquity is already in discussion with an environmentally-minded bank to solarize projects of this type in the future. These effects will move SolarEquity closer to realizing its long-term funding strategy, a resilient funding model that could support several multi-unit solar projects every calendar year. On a separate note, EmPOWERment should be able to claim 30% of the cost of the system back from the federal government as a rebate. Additionally, we may be eligible to claim an additional 10% rebate considering the tenants of the Peach Apartments are low-income. SolarEquity will be assisting with the rebate paperwork. However, since this is a new program under the Inflation Reduction Act and paperwork will not be available until at least late 2023, there is uncertainty surrounding the rebates. Due to this ambiguity and significant time delay, the 30-40% rebate appears outside of this grant application. If the project is completed and EmPOWERment can claim the reimbursement provided by the IRA, they will use this money to fund the installation of rooftop solar and energy storage at the Midway Business Center. The responsible allocation of excess funds stemming from the direct pay rebates is an integral part of this grant application. By funding the installation of rooftop solar on the Peach Apartments, the grant may also play a significant role in the structure of solar and battery on a small business incubator, stimulating economic activity in Orange County and assisting the launch of innovative small businesses by EmPOWERment clients. Our commitment to the efficient use of grant funds is unwavering. For the PEACH Apartments, all grant funds received will be dedicated solely and directly to installing the solar panels on the PEACH apartments. This ensures that the funds are allocated to the core objective of generating clean and renewable energy. In the event of any excess funds, EI has a well-thought-out plan. Instead of diverting the extra funds to unrelated expenses, we will responsibly allocate them to purchasing rooftop solar and a solar battery on EI’s small business incubator, the Midway Business Center. The solar battery will store any surplus solar energy generated during peak sunlight hours when energy production exceeds the immediate demand of the apartments. By keeping this excess energy, we can ensure that no solar power goes to waste and can be utilized during periods of low sunlight or high energy consumption. This not only enhances the efficiency of the solar power system but also contributes to the overall energy resilience of the EmPOWERment properties. The addition of batteries will make the unit a resilience hub where the residents will have access to conditioned space and electricity in the event of power outages which likely will be more prevalent in the future with global warming. Our project’s prudent approach ensures that every dollar of the grant is put to its intended purpose, advancing the adaptation of renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting a greener and more sustainable future for the PEACH apartments and community. EMPOWERment has yet to solarize any of their 62 rental properties, 3 privately-owned homes, or their small business incubator in Orange County, NC. Nonetheless, other stakeholders in this project have experience in solarizing affordable housing in the state. Both SolarEquity and East Chapel Hill Rotary were instrumental in the solarization of 15 Habitat for Humanity Homes on Odie Street in Orange County, NC. The two groups spearheaded the solar equipment donation solicitation effort while also fundraising money to ensure the panels could be installed. SolarEquity is a non-profit organization composed of undergraduate students at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. The organization strives to solarize affordable housing in the surrounding community to help mitigate emissions and energy burdens. They have been a major stakeholder in the solarization of 15 HFH homes in Orange County, providing both funding and solar panels. Moreover, SolarEquity spends time educating the community and University on the importance of renewable energy and its ability to reduce high energy burdens for low-income peoples. NC Solar Now: NC Solar Now is a trusted solar installer in the state of North Carolina. Recently, they have designed and installed systems on homes across Orange County, West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, the Inn at Governors Club, and iPearl Inc. They have helped several non-profits solarize buildings and are eager to play a role in solarizing affordable housing as evidenced by their generous discounted prices to the Peach Apartments project. East Chapel Hill Rotary: East Chapel Hill Rotary has been a major player in the solarization of HFH homes in Orange County over the past two years. The group has helped solicit the donation of solar panels and assisted with grant funding. Local Rotarians have been influential in lobbying other HFH affiliates to adopt solar. They helped author a solar manual, accepted by Habitat International, that outlines how to add rooftop solar for Habitat affiliates. GiveSolar: GiveSolar is a nonprofit social impact organization that aims to assist other non-profit organizations and homeowners with low income to gain access to solar energy through organizing community-based mutual aid. They have significant experience in both extending solar to low-income communities and educating their tenants on the value of solar energy. They are currently collaborating on a two-year project with Habitat for Humanity Virginia and Solar United Neighbors that aims to implement solar programs within multiple Habitat affiliates around the state of Virginia. As a part of the program, GiveSolar has created fridge magnets that will help decrease energy demand. Give Solar Director, Jeff Heie, has agreed to donate 10 of these magnets to EmPOWERment. Maxeon Solar: Maxeon is an independent designer and manufacturer of solar panels across the world. They are renowned for their solar innovation and are using their breaking edge technologies to fight against climate change. Maxeon is considering partnering with EmPOWERment to solarize the Peach Apartments, EmPOWERment’s Midway Business Center, and several of their rental properties in Orange County. Kenan Institute: The Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise develops and promotes innovative, market-based solutions to vital economic issues. With the belief that private enterprise is the cornerstone of a prosperous and free society, the institute fosters the entrepreneurial spirit to stimulate economic prosperity and improve the lives of people in North Carolina, across the country and around the world. Although they have minimal experiences installing rooftop solar on low-income housing in their community, the Institute believes that the mission of both SolarEquity and EmPOWERment aligns seamlessly with their own, prompting them to dedicate $500 to this solar project. Although not experienced within the solar industry, EI has been in frequent communication with SolarEquity and NC Solar Now to ensure the smooth solarization of the PEACH Apartments. NC Solar Now has designed and shared several proposals that prioritize both financial feasibility and community impact. They have been solarizing residences and businesses in the state since 2010 and are renowned for their ongoing support and customer service. SolarEquity serves as a liaison between EI and NC Solar Now and is responsible for much of the fundraising leg work. EI, SolarEquity, and NC Solar Now’s full fledged commitment to the solar project is underlined by each organization’s desire to create positive change in their community. By encouraging the deployment of solar in the region, this project strengthens the local solar industry which provides good paying jobs to people of all educational backgrounds. EmPOWERment employs 1 Orange County resident full time and 1 Orange County residents part time. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Page 12 of 14 33. What percent of project materials will be purchased from sources within Orange County or North Carolina? 34. Please describe any other aspect of your project that is relevant to local economic development. Criterion 6 - Amount and Duration of Engagement 35. Please describe how you will engage with and/or educate project participants. 36. How will you measure the success of that engagement or educational effort? 37. Please describe any other aspect of your project that is relevant to the amount, or quality, or length of engagement and/or education that your project will produce. Criterion 7 - Time to Complete 38. How much time will your project require to demonstrate the positive impacts you describe? Submission Guidance Applications are to be submitted as email attachments to Orange County Sustainability Programs Manager, Amy Eckberg at aeckberg@orangecountync.gov. Please also CC the lead staff member supporting the Commission of the Environment, Wesley Poole at wpoole@orangecountync.gov. The Application Submittal Deadline for the Fiscal Year 23-24 round of the Community Climate Action Grant is Friday, August 18, 2023 at 5pm. Please note that late, handwritten, or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Submit all documents including attachments in PDF format. This will ensure the original content and formatting is preserved. Digital signatures on applications are accepted. NC Solar Now does not purchase any of their materials from sources within Orange County. The only component of the project that is purchased from within the county is the permit. Nonetheless, the labor and installation costs paid by EmPOWERment and SolarEquity will be injected directly into the local economy. The solarization of EI’s PEACH Apartments will decrease the average energy bills of tenants by $46 per month. It is recommended that 50% of income go towards necessities, 30% go to discretionary items, and 20% go to savings. Abiding by the 50-30-20 rule, we can assume that 80% of the energy savings will go towards necessities and discretionary funding. Operating under those assumptions, we can deduce that the local economic multiplier is 5. (multiplier = 1 / [1-0.8]) Each tenant will invest an additional $441 annually in the local economy. Multiplied by 5, each tenant will be stimulating an additional $2,208 of economic activity in the community per year. Across each tenant, we can predict that increased energy savings from the solarization of the Peach Apartments will generate $22,080 of economic activity per year. Moreover, EMPOWERment also launched an economic development arm called the Midway Business Center in Midway, a historically Black business district connecting Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The project offers over $6,000 square feet of affordable office and retail space, access to shared business equipment, and strong support to build locally owned businesses. The proximity of the office space to the Peach Apartments, paired with energy savings from the PEACH Apartments’ solar array, will motivate tenants to launch their business ventures and increase employment opportunities in the community. To generate buy-in and educate the tenants on the solar project, EmPOWERment will acquire literature from NC Solar Now and hold a workshop between EmPOWERment, the Peach Apartment residents, SolarEquity, and NC Solar Now. This workshop will be held over Zoom and will focus on the benefits of rooftop solar and ways to reduce energy demand. Before SolarEquity approached EmPOWERment about adding solar to PEACH Apartments for the benefit of our clients, adding solar to this building was off our radar. Indeed we knew very little about the benefits of renewable energy or the disproportional benefits our clients would realize as a result of the addition of solar. Now, through this educational and successful partnership, EmPOWERment has become an advocate for deployment of solar and indeed plans to retrofit our existing homes to include solar over time. We look forward to educating other builders and providers of very low income housing in Orange co about the benefits of renewable energy. EmPOWERment will also engage with participants on a daily basis through the rental portal and maintenance at the complex. Each portal will be equipped with a page that monitors monthly energy bills so that homeowners can see the complex’s past energy usage. To gauge tenants’ satisfaction with – and knowledge of – the solar array, EmPOWERment will send out a survey at their move-in date and 1 year after their move-in date. The survey can be found below. If the average score of answers improves by 10% or is above 8/10, EmPOWERment will consider the solar project a success. Each time a new renter moves into a unit, EmPOWERment will request that they fill out the solar survey. Survey Questions: Please rank all answers on a scale of 1-10. 1= Not at all, 10 = Yes, absolutely Q1: Have you noticed a reduction in your monthly energy bills? Q2: Would you recommend rooftop solar to a friend? Q3: Do you feel that you understand the benefits of rooftop solar? Q4: Has EmPOWERment done an adequate job answering questions regarding the solar array? Q5: Has the reduction of your energy bills made a noticeable difference in your life? Installing rooftop solar on the PEACH Apartments will require little engagement from tenants as it will significantly decrease energy bills without any input from renters. Nonetheless, the intended impact of this project transcends Peach Apartments by itself. EmPOWERment will only consider this project a resounding success if it helps set off a chain of events that results in widespread solar adoption of affordable housing across the County. Habitat for Humanity was the first movers in this space, and EmPOWERment intends to continue the positive momentum. With the successful rooftop solar installation on PEACH Apartments, EmPOWERment hopes to create a faction of solar advocates that helps drive solar adoption across the community. EmPOWERment will motivate the tenants of the PEACH Apartments to speak out and join the solar advocacy team that currently consists of EmPOWERment employees, SolarEquity, NC Solar Now, and East Chapel Hill Rotary members. These actions by tenants will demonstrate a genuine engagement with the solar industry and the recognition of the benefits of rooftop solar on affordable housing. The solarization of the PEACH Apartments will have positive impacts in both the short and long term. Once installed, the system will provide around 55,000 kWh of energy every year, saving $5,534 worth of energy costs. Consequently, the average tenant will see their energy bills reduced by approximately $46. These savings will continue to accrue over the 30-year lifetime of the panels and will be re-injected into the local economy, stimulating more economic activity and helping local low-income people escape the cycle of poverty. Moreover, the system will prevent around 2,150,000 pounds of carbon from entering the atmosphere over 30 years. Although the effects of mitigated carbon emissions are less concrete, they will reduce air pollution in the area and improve the health of those that live in areas surrounding local power plants. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Page 13 of 14 Accommodations for applicants with disabilities or those in need of technical assistance are available upon request. Please contact the Orange County Sustainability Programs Manager, Amy Eckberg (919- 245-2626, aeckberg@orangecountync.gov) to discuss what is needed. ATTACHMENTS Description of Required Attachments a) Applicant Organization’s Budget and Project Budget Please complete the provided budget worksheets for your organization and your proposed project or submit your own budget file (as long as it contains the same information, and in a similar format, as requested in the provided worksheets. Please explain other in your budget). The Budget Worksheets file is available for download from the County website here . Please submit the budget in PDF form as well as in the original editable Excel format. b) IRS Federal Form 990 or 2022 Tax Returns A copy of the applicant organization’s most recent Form 990 or IRS Tax Returns is required to determine eligibility. The specific form depends upon the applicant organization’s financial activity. Review the IRS’ guide, for more details. For Form 990-N (e-postcard) filers, include a copy of the postcard, with the organization’s application materials. c) List of Board of Directors (if applicable) Provide the following information about each board of director’s member: name, telephone number, and address, of each member and the list must identify the principal officers of the governing body, and length of term. Please feel free to use the template provided in Table 2 of the appendix or your own format. d) Certificate of Liability Insurance A copy of the applicant organization’s current certificate, from the organization’s insurance carrier. Table 1 below outlines insurance types and minimums required, for each jurisdiction. If exempt from Worker’s Compensation compliance, include a statement explaining why, with the applicant organization’s application materials. NOTE: Proof of insurance is not required at the time of application submission. If your agency is approved for funding, documentation of insurance must be provided to the jurisdiction awarding the funding when the contract is awarded. The insurance certificate should reflect the funding jurisdiction as an additional insured party and certificate holder and provide coverage for the duration of the funding period (two years, beginning as early as October 1, 2023). If proof of insurance can only be written for one year, an update will be required for all ongoing projects. Renewal certificates must be sent to the jurisdiction 30 days prior to any expiration date, cancellation or modification of any stipulated insurance coverage. NOTE: Upon request, insurance requirements may be reviewed on a case by case basis by the County. Please contact the staff identified on the Submission Requirements on Page 15 if you have questions or would like to request a review of your insurance requirements. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Page 14 of 14 APPENDIX Table 1. Forms of Liability Insurance and Minimum Policy Amounts Required INSURANCE ORANGE COUNTY3 Worker's Compensation1 Limits for Coverage A - Statutory State NC, for each employee Limits for Coverage B - Employers Liability of: $500,000 each accident, $500,000 Bodily Injury by Disease (BID).for each employee $500,000 for BID limit Commercial General Liability $1 million Each Occurrence $2 million Aggregate Automobile Liability $1 million Each Occurrence Professional Liability $1 million Each Occurrence $2 million Aggregate Sexual Abuse & Molestation $1 million Each Occurrence $2 million Aggregate Cyber Liability $1 million Each Occurrence $2 million Aggregate Environmental/Pollution Liability (Required if demolition, use of hazardous material or environmentally sensitive) $1 million Each Occurrence Visit the NC Industrial Commission’s website for more information regarding Coverage A. Also, note that if an agency uses subcontractors, it must require subcontractors to have workmen’s compensation insurance. Please visit Orange County’s Risk Management page for more information about the County’s Minimum Insurance Requirements. Table 2 - Contact Information for Board of Directors and Officers of the Board Name (also title and term length if Officer) Physical Address Mailing Address Phone number Email address Fax number (if applicable) DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Agency Budget Operating Budget for entire Agency AGENCY NAME:EMPOWERment PROGRAM REVENUE Actual 2021-2022 Projected 2022-2023 Projected 2023-2024 Percent Change Private Donations ($ 155,624) ($ 163,405) ($ 171,575) 5% Program Generated Revenue ($ 677,868) ($ 711,761) ($ 747,349) 5% Local Government Grants: Human Services - Town of Carrboro ($ 19,200) ($ 25,000) ($ 30,000) 20% Other - Town of Carrboro ($-)($-)($-)0 Human Services - Town of Chapel Hill ($ 40,000) ($ 40,000) ($ 25,000) -38% Other - Town of Chapel Hill ($-)($-)($-)0 Human Services - Orange County ($ 40,000) ($ 40,000) ($ 60,000) 50% Other - Orange County ($-)($-)($-)0 Other - Town of Hillsborough ($-)($-)($-)0 Other Government Grants Triangle United Way ($-)($-) 0 State Government ($ 25,080.00) ($ 100,000.00) ($ 105,000.00) ($ 0.05) Federal Government (CDBG/HOME/etc.)($ 86,734.00) ($-)($ (1.00) Private Foundation Grants ($ 44,000.00) ($ 55,000.00) ($ 53,000.00) ($ (0.04) Other Revenue ($ 5,600) ($ 5,880) ($ 6,174) ($ 0.05) Total Program Revenue ($ 1,094,106)($ 1,141,046) ($1,198,098)5% PROGRAM EXPENSES Compensation ($ 382,772) ($ 401,910) ($ 422,006) 5% Rent & Utilities ($ 177,764) ($ 186,652) ($ 195,984) 5% Supplies & Equipment ($ 19,658) ($ 20,640) ($ 21,672) 5% Travel & Training ($ 816)($ 857)($ 897)5% Other Expenses: ($ 496,094) ($ 520,898) ($ 546,943) 5% Total Program Expenses ($ 1,077,104)($ 1,130,957) ($1,187,502)5% SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR PERIOD:($ 17,002) ($ 10,089) ($ 10,596) 5% Please explain Other Grants Does your program budget show a surplus or deficit? Please provide a brief explanation for the surplus or deficit. The agency 17,002 surplus is due to a grant given for EI's Bright Path Solutions. All the funds were not expensed before the cycle ended. DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Proposed Project Budget Use for all projects Actual Total for Previous Year Estimated Total for Current Year Projected Total for Next Year Percent Change -$ -$ 18,719$ 0 -$ -$ -$ 0 -$ -$ -$ 0 -$ -$ -$ 0 -$ -$ -$ 0 -$ -$ -$ 0 -$ -$ -$ 0 -$ -$ -$ 0 -$ -$ -$ 0 Private Foundation Grants -$ 1,500.00$ 0 Other Revenue: -$ -$ 0 -$ -$ 20,219$ 0 -$ 22,858$ 0 -$ -$ -$ 0 -$ 76,745$ 0 -$ -$ -$ 0 -$ -$ 34,959$ 0 -$ -$ 134,562$ 0 -$ -$ (114,343)$ 0 PROJECT REVENUE PROJECT NAME: Use only if project is ongoing Private Donations Project Generated Revenue: Local Government Grants (Please list separately): Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Other Government Grants Triangle United Way State Government Travel & Training Other Expenses: Interconnection request, permitting, inspecti Federal Government (CDBG/HOME/etc.) Supplies & Equipment Total Project Revenue PROJECT EXPENSES Compensation Rent & Utilities SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR PERIOD: Total Project Expenses FY 2018-19 Program Budget DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 July 2023 Board of Directors Danita Mason-Hogans Community Advocate African American Female 26 Current Lane Durham, NC 27712 Phone - (919) 260-8920 danitasdesk@gmail.com Term Began 5/2018 Emila Sutton Housing Advocate Caucasian Female 27 Covington Lane Durham, NC 27712 (919) 720-5401 emilasutton@gmail.com Term Began 1/23 Monica Wallace African American Female 12000 Cliffside Circle Raleigh, NC 27614 (919) wallace_19151@yahoo.com Term Begam 1/2023 Paris Miller-Foushee Northside Resident Councilman Town of Chapel Hill Ex- Officio African American 223 N. Roberson St. Chapel Hill, NC 27517 (919) 414-2870 parismiller1@gmail.com Term Began 4/2019 Corey Flannery Housing Advocate Caucasian 314 Seven Springs Rd. Hillsborough, NC 27278 cory@fandwnterprise.com Term Began 10/2021 Bernadine Alston Cobb Banker African American 611 Seven Oaks Road Durham, NC 27704 (919) 280-4553 centimental14@gmail.com Term Began 1/2023 Alean Farrington President Community Advocate/Resident African American Female 904 NC Highway 54 W Chapel Hill, NC 27516-7917 (919) 869-7987 aleanfarrington@yahoo.com Term Began 8/2019 Linda Bynum Vice President Retired, Community Resident African American Female 4 Coggins Mine Court Chapel Hill, NC (919) 933-0171 (H) lbynum.email@gmail.com Term Began 9/2016 David Bright Treasurer Community Resident Caucasian Male 601 Rosemary St. Unit 504 Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (984) 484-0367 Dbright44@att.net Term Began 4/2020 Laura Wright Secretary Entrepreneur African American Female 1003 Milford Ct., PO Box #123 Knightdale NC 27545 (919) 417-6837 laurawright0328@gmail.com Term Began 2/2020 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date:December 12, 2023 Action Agenda Item No.6-b SUBJECT: Community Climate Action Grant (CCAG) – FY 2023-24 Project Selection for General Applicants and Schools DEPARTMENT: County Manager ATTACHMENT(S): 1) CCAG 2023-24 Project Descriptions, Scoring, and Comments for General Applicants and Schools 2) CCAG Project Status Summary Including Estimated GHG Reductions INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Eckberg, (919) 245-2626 PURPOSE: To: 1) Receive the grant project funding recommendations from the Commission for the Environment (CFE) and the Human Relations Commission (HRC) for the FY 2023-24 Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Program; and 2) Approve funding for the recommended Community Climate Action Grant projects for FY 2023-24 as outlined in the attached report. BACKGROUND: As part of the FY 2019-20 budget, the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC) created the Orange County Climate Action Fund dedicated to accelerating climate change mitigation actions in Orange County. This decision was motivated in part to help the County meet the climate change mitigation goals set by the Board in recent years: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions community-wide by 26 percent by 2025 (from 2005 levels). Transition to a 100% renewable energy-based economy by 2050 Newly adopted Climate Action Plan (November 2023) For the 2023-24 funding cycle, $564,085 in funding was budgeted to support climate action projects that will benefit Orange County residents both socially and financially. Following the direction of the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC), the process for soliciting and selecting projects to receive funding was conducted through a formal Community Climate Action Grant (CCAG) program. For this grant cycle, the BOCC reserved half of the total funding for this grant program ($282,042.50) to be awarded to projects submitted by either of Orange County's two public school districts. The remaining half ($282,042.50) was to be made available to all other eligible general applicants in this round. 1 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 The Community Climate Action grant program received eleven (11) applications in this round from a variety of general applicants representing non-profit and public organizations whose total requests added up to $614,540. Two (2) projects totaling $557,959 were submitted from the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools districts. Grant applications were completed over the summer and reviewed and scored by the Commission for the Environment (CFE) and the Human Relations Commission (HRC). In fall 2023, each of these Commissions voted to forward their final scoring and comments to the BOCC. The following is a rank-order summary table of the combined project scoring and recommendations. More details on each project are available in Attachment 1: General Applications: Name Project Name Description Amount Requested Recommended Funding level Rank Total Score out of 26 Points Habitat for Humanity Supplemental Weatherization Habitat’s Home Preservation program support. $55,000 $55,000 1 21 Urban Sustainability Solutions Growing More than Rain Gardens Create a Green Infrastructure Workforce Development Apprenticeship Program $69,156 $69,156 2 21 Town of Chapel Hill LED Lighting Upgrades LED Lighting Upgrade for Hargraves Community Center Basketball Court $95,000 $0 3 20 Hillsborough United Church of Christ Solar Panel Project Rooftop Solar Installation $10,000 $10,000 4 20 Binkley Baptist Church Let There Be (clean energy) Light! Install 50 solar panels $49,046 $49,036 5 18 EMPOWERment Rooftop solar on PEACH apartments Rooftop solar installation $134,562 $61,623 6 18 Club Nova Big Impact Small Footprint Support Installation of garden, greenhouse, terrace. $37,227 $37,227 7 17 Eco‐Institute at Sanctuary Farm Community Garden Cooperative Expand Community Garden Cooperative and create a new Training Program $50,800 $0 8 17 The Arts Center Haven for Outdoor Eco‐Classroom Solar Powered Shelter with 16 places to charge up, explore, create, and learn. $41,729 $0 9 17 St. Thomas More Catholic Church EV Charging Station EV Charging Station Installation $22,030 $0 10 16 Triangle ECycling The e is for Equity. Discount eBike with Voucher Pilot Program $50,000.00 $0 11 13 2 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 School Applications: Name Project Description Amount Requested Recommended Funding Level Rank Total Score out of 26 Points Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools LED Lights LED Campus Lighting Changeover $270,000 $94,014 1 17 Orange County Schools Solar 54 Panel Solar Pedestal with Battery Storage $287,959 $188,029 2 11 * All projects were placed in rank order by CFE and HRC voting. Attachment 2 provides a status summary including estimates of GHG emissions avoided annually from projects that have been approved by the Community Climate Action Grant program to date. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Community Climate Action Grant Tax funding of $564,085 in FY 2023- 24, intends to identify impactful projects and distribute these funds promptly to accelerate action on the urgent issue of climate change and to help further stimulate the local economy. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. Social Justice and Racial Equity is the most heavily-weighted factor in scoring projects proposed through this grant program, ensuring that the equitable distribution of funds and the repair of environmental inequities are a central element of each funded project. Local investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in Orange County provides direct reduction of monthly energy bills and supports jobs and investments in clean energy technologies. GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. Reducing energy usage from the electric grid improves air quality impacts. Improving local air quality helps to protect the health of vulnerable populations in Orange County whose health is disproportionately affected by ground-level ozone and other emissions. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impacts are applicable to this item: ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WASTE REDUCTION Initiate policies and programs that: 1) conserve energy; 2) reduce resource consumption; 3) increase the use of recycled and renewable resources; and 4) minimize waste stream impacts on the environment. 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Investing in local climate change mitigation actions will conserve energy, reduce resource consumption, and increase the use of renewable resources. RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases. The Climate Action Fund will continue to support high-impact projects which will improve local air quality and minimize the local production of greenhouse gases, reducing Orange County's contribution to the adverse impacts of climate change on human and natural resources both inside and outside of the County. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) Receive the grant project funding recommendations from the Human Relations Commission and the Commission for the Environment for the FY 2023-24 Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Program; and 2) Approve funding for the recommended Community Climate Action Grant projects for FY 2023-24. 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 P.O. Box 8181 * Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 Telephone: (919)245‐2625 Attachment 1 Date: December 12, 2023 To: Board of Orange County Commissioners From: Amy Eckberg, Sustainability Programs Manager RE: Orange County Community Climate Action Grant ‐ Project Descriptions, Scoring, and Comments for General and School Applicants For the 2023‐24 funding cycle of the Orange County Community Climate Action Grant program, $564,085 in funding was budgeted to support climate action projects that benefit Orange County residents both socially and financially. For this grant cycle, the Board of Orange County Commissioners reserved half of the total funding for this grant program ($282,042.50) to be awarded to projects submitted by either of Orange County’s two public school districts. The remaining half ($282,042.50) was to be made available to all other eligible “general” applicants. Based on feedback received from the Board, a concerted effort to publicize the grant opportunity was made this year. A UNC‐Chapel Hill Eco Studio intern helped support our community engagement efforts through phone calls, flyer distribution and “door to door” canvassing of local businesses, churches, and community groups. A special info graphic announcing the grant was distributed via social media, Orange County TV screens, website, and weekly happenings email. A targeted mass email went out to community groups, churches, nonprofits and small businesses announcing the grant opportunity. As a result of all these outreach efforts, we received the most grant applications ever received since the inception of the grant and many new applicants! The Community Climate Action grant program received 11 “general” applications in this round from a variety of nonprofit and public organizations whose total requests add up to almost $615,000. In addition, both school districts submitted applications totaling almost $558,000. Following the scoring and eligibility guidelines of the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC), the applications were reviewed and scored by the Commission for the Environment (CFE) and the Human Relations Commission (HRC). The BOCC asked the Human Relations Commission to score the applications on the Social Justice and Racial Equity criterion, as this pertains to their expertise and because the racial representation of the CFE as a whole does not reflect the racial diversity of Orange County. The following is a rank‐order summary table of the combined project scoring and recommendations. A full table showing the scores for each project on each of the 7 scoring elements is included in the Appendix. 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 General Applications: Name Project Name Description Amount Requested Recommended Funding level Rank Total Score out of 26 Points Habitat for Humanity Supplemental Weatherization Habitat’s Home Preservation program support. $55,000 $55,000 1 21 Urban Sustainability Solutions Growing More than Rain Gardens Create a Green Infrastructure Workforce Development Apprenticeship Program $69,156 $69,156 2 21 Town of Chapel Hill LED Lighting Upgrades LED Lighting Upgrade for Hargraves Community Center Basketball Court $95,000 $0 3 20 Hillsborough United Church of Christ Solar Panel Project Rooftop Solar Installation $10,000 $10,000 4 20 Binkley Baptist Church Let There Be (clean energy) Light! Install 50 solar panels $49,046 $49,036 5 18 EMPOWERment Rooftop solar on PEACH apartments Rooftop solar installation $134,562 $61,623 6 18 Club Nova Big Impact Small Footprint Support Installation of garden, greenhouse, terrace. $37,227 $37,227 7 17 Eco‐Institute at Sanctuary Farm Community Garden Cooperative Expand Community Garden Cooperative and create a new Training Program $50,800 $0 8 17 The Arts Center Haven for Outdoor Eco‐Classroom Solar Powered Shelter with 16 places to charge up, explore, create, and learn. $41,729 $0 9 17 St. Thomas More Catholic Church EV Charging Station EV Charging Station Installation $22,030 $0 10 16 Triangle ECycling The e is for Equity. Discount eBike with Voucher Pilot Program $50,000.00 $0 11 13 School Applications: Name Project Description Amount Requested Recommended Funding Level Rank Total Score out of 26 Points Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools LED Lights LED Campus Lighting Changeover $270,000 $94,014 1 17 Orange County Schools Solar 54 Panel Solar Pedestal with Battery Storage $287,959 $188,029 2 11 Below is a set of expanded details for each proposed project, in rank order per HRC and CFE scoring. The quoted text was pulled directly from various sections of the submitted applications. Also summarized below are the comments from the HRC and the CFE, along with scores and funding recommendations. #1 Ranked Project – Habitat for Humanity Applicant (Collaborators): Habitat for Humanity Funding Requested: $55,000 Recommended Funding Level: $55,000 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 21 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Project Description: Habitat for Humanity of Orange County proposes to use $55,000 in Orange County Climate Action Grant Funds to provide supplemental weatherization services on five homes being repaired through the organization’s Home Preservation program in the coming year. Habitat’s Home Preservation program serves Orange County residents who own their homes but are unable to afford necessary repairs due to low or fixed incomes. Of this amount, $50,000 will go towards the direct cost of the weatherization projects, including materials, subcontractor labor, and direct construction staff labor. The remaining $5,000 is a 10% overhead charge for support staff and other costs to administer the program. Project Benefits: Funds will increase the energy efficiency of homes through projects such as repair or replacement of aging HVAC systems, repair or replacement of drafty windows, and the addition of insulation in crawl spaces and attics. Of the repair applications that Habitat receives, about half are for these types of weatherization projects. Increasing the energy efficiency of aging homes can immediately create savings for Orange County homeowners while reducing the demand on the power grid or removing gas and oil furnaces. Habitat considers this work to preserve the affordable housing stock that already exists in our County to be essential and urgent. Once these properties are sold and often redeveloped, they will likely never be affordable again. Reviewer Comments: We are pleased to continue supporting this community leader in their efforts to provide energy efficiency services for low‐income residents in Orange County. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $733 #2 Ranked Project – Urban Sustainability Solutions Applicant (Collaborators): Burts Bees Foundation, NC DEQ/EPA, Carrboro Stormwater/Public Works, Triangle Community Foundation Funding Requested: $69,156 Recommended Funding Level: $69,156 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 21 Project Description: Urban Sustainability Solutions is requesting grant funding to create a Green Infrastructure Workforce Development Apprenticeship Program for underserved youth and to fund 40% of the installation cost of Green Infrastructure on single family residences that are in neighborhoods that the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Justice Program has designated as underserved and low income. Project Benefits: Students will obtain after‐school green‐jobs training by job shadowing with environmental contractors who will be installing rain gardens, rain‐harvesting cisterns, riparian buffers, and other sustainable stormwater “best management practices” (BMP’s) on underserved/low‐income properties suffering from flooding and erosion issues in Orange County. The curriculum specifically targets students who have not performed at grade level in math and sciences. Based on direct past experience this hands‐on curriculum leads to improved student performance in traditional STEM curricula and improves environmental literacy and stewardship. Reviewer Comments: We are pleased to support this project as it builds on work previously started in neighboring Durham County. Additionally, we are excited to receive an application that is focused on nature‐ based climate solutions that engage young people in our community. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $191 #3 Ranked Project – Town of Chapel Hill Applicant (Collaborators): The Hargraves Community Center Funding Requested: $95,000 Recommended Funding Level: $0 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 20 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Project Description: The requested funds will be used to purchase and install new LED light fixtures to replace the existing, less efficient metal halide fixtures at the Hargraves Community Center outdoor basketball court. Hargraves Community Center is located in Chapel Hill’s largest historically black neighborhood and is part of the NC Civil Rights Trail. In addition to the emissions reductions, this retrofit would enhance safety, improve neighborhood relations, and minimize maintenance and energy costs. Project Benefits: This proposed upgrade would provide both better lighting and better quality of life. Carbon emissions will be reduced through improved energy efficiency, and this new lighting system will significantly reduce spill light and glare while also allowing the lights to be consistently turned off each night by 11 pm. This has biodiversity benefits (especially for migrating birds in spring and fall) and would benefit neighbors by reducing light spillage, glare, and noise after 11 pm. Reviewer Comments: This initiative is supported, however funding was not recommended this year as there were many community applicants that had not received funding from the CCAG program in the past. This project’s benefits included lighting areas that are not currently lit and reduced energy consumption due to timers which also reduced nighttime light pollution. We encourage Chapel Hill to continue to pursue this effort. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $956 #4 Ranked Project – Hillsborough United Church of Christ Applicant (Collaborators): N/A Funding Requested: $10,000 Recommended Funding Level: $10,000 Total Score (Out of 25 pts): 20 Project Description: The project is to add solar panels to provide green energy for our building. This project is part of a long‐term vision to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint and to live out part of our calling and mission to care for creation. As a smaller faith community, we have wanted to move toward solar but the costs have made it prohibitive for a congregation of our size. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the inclusion of faith communities for the federal rebate, it began to be a real possibility. Project Benefits: This project indirectly benefits the wider community by reducing the use of fossil fuels that contribute to global warming. The project over its lifetime will have the equivalent impact of planting 4,987 trees, creating nearly 160 new acres of forest land and will have the same impact of not driving fossil fueled cars for 481,470 miles. These benefits directly help Hillsborough but also our world as we all move to do our part to reduce the harmful impacts of climate change. We hope at the completion of this project we can share with other congregations our success and that solar is a real possibility for them as well. Reviewer Comments: We are pleased that this project utilized funding from additional sources beyond the CCAG furthering their larger sustainability efforts and that there is intentional community focus on awareness of renewable impacts. We are also happy to support an organization in the northern portion of Orange County. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $126 #5 Ranked Project – Binkley Baptist Church Applicant (Collaborators): N/A Funding Requested: $49,036 Recommended Funding Level: $49,036 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 18 Project Description: With this grant we wish to install 46 solar panels (18.86 DC Net‐metered) with an annual production of 23,905 kWh/year to reduce Binkley’s energy‐generated carbon emissions by more than 32,500 lbs/year. By doing so, Binkley will demonstrate its continuing commitment to do all we can as a 8 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 multiracial/multiethnic congregation to care for the Earth and reduce the impacts of climate change which are felt most acutely by poor and marginalized people. Project Benefits: This project will directly benefit the multiracial/multiethnic congregation, the preschool, and day care program for low‐income families, and the many community users of the church, such as AA, Al anon groups and others. In total, approximately 500 people/week will benefit from the ‘clean energy’ generated by the added panels. In addition, our Earth Ministry team is active in all of the towns within Orange County providing education and outreach for the community, our congregation and user groups about the positives of solar energy for the climate, and other topics such as waste‐diversion, global climate change, and environmental issues. Reviewer Comments: We are excited to support a community organization that is also leveraging the Solarize the Triangle program for additional cost savings. We love the community outreach portion of this application and believe their engagement with the broader community has great potential to reach individuals outside of the direct Binkley Baptist community to educate and inform the community about climate change, programs such as Solarize the Triangle and promoting sustainable practices. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $122 #6 Ranked Project – EMPOWER‐ment Applicant (Collaborators): SolarEquity Funding Requested: $134,562 Recommended Funding Level: $61,623 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 18 Project Description: The funds provided by Orange County's Community Climate Action Grant Program will go directly towards installing rooftop solar on EmPOWERment's PEACH Apartments located in Chapel Hill. The funds will cover 18.1% of operations, 100% of equipment, and 100% of personnel costs. Project Benefits: EmPOWERment Inc. (EI) is building an apartment building. As a partner, SolarEquity will install rooftop solar on the PEACH Apartments, a rental complex for ten low‐income and very low‐income families. Installing rooftop solar will mitigate carbon emissions while decreasing the target population’s energy burden. Reviewer Comments: We are excited about this project and recognize that EMPOWERment is in the early stages of construction with opportunity to seek additional funds through the next CCAG round of funding and/or other outlets to support the remaining funding need. We feel strongly that the final outcome of this project should emphasize any savings received going directly to the tenants of the PEACH apartments through reduced utility expense. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $106 #7 Ranked Project – Club Nova Applicant (Collaborators): Carrboro Farmers’ Market, NC Botanical Garden Funding Requested: $37,227 Recommended Funding Level: $37,227 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 17 Project Description: Club Nova will use funds for completing plans for our garden, greenhouse, and terrace to grow our own vegetables and herbs; purchasing materials for these areas including accessible raised beds and planters, purchasing an energy efficient stackable washer and dryer that utilizes less water and sanitizes reusable items such as dish clothes, cloth napkins, and towels. 9 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Project Benefits: Club Nova works with individuals living with serious mental illness. We anticipate at least 100 members will directly benefit from our project. Our project includes minimizing the greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing our carbon footprint through accelerating and expanding the following: Plant based diet, food waste reduction plan, composting, growing our own vegetables and herbs, increasing local purchasing, recycling, utilizing reusable products/items (i.e. cloth napkins and limiting one time use items), and capturing and reusing rainwater. Our members will benefit from a healthier, sustainable diet and from being part of a larger focus to make a significant, positive impact on climate change. Reviewer Comments: We are pleased to support an organization that supports an underserved population within our County. We also love that this population will have a voice in the voting and execution of this project. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $116 #8 Ranked Project – Eco‐Institute at Sanctuary Farm Applicant (Collaborators): N/A Funding Requested: $50,800 Recommended Funding Level: $0 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 17 Project Description: Funds will be used to expand the existing Community Garden Cooperative and to create a new Community Garden Training Program by providing scholarships for residents from low‐income households and/or marginalized communities. Funds will also be used to hire Orange County Farmers and Gardeners as guest teachers. Project Benefits: Participants learn to grow organic food while engaging in intergenerational conversations about climate resilience. Climate resilient gardening includes practices like increasing native plant diversity, composting household food waste, improving soil health, growing heat tolerant vegetable crops, and using stormwater management practices. Participants are invited to bring their household compost, which serves as fertilizer for the garden. We share in the labor and share in the harvest. Participants go home with a basket full of fresh, healthy garden produce each week. This reduces their dependence on the industrial food system. Reviewer Comments: Recommended not funding due to limited public benefit and uncertainty due to community being served. Suggest that the organization seek other philanthropic funding sources. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $not estimated #9 Ranked Project – The ArtsCenter Applicant (Collaborators): N/A Funding Requested: $41,729 Recommended Funding Level: $0 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 17 Project Description: At our new home, we have an enclosed garden space that we will turn into an Outdoor Eco‐ Classroom. This outdoor learning center will educate patrons of all ages on our rooftop solar system as well as other eco‐ friendly projects they can incorporate into their lives from outdoor hydroponics to garden art created using recycled materials. The learning center of this classroom will be Haven, a solar powered shelter in the sun with 16 places to charge up, explore, create and learn. Haven is made by the NC based company, Spotlight Solar. The structure was designed in Raleigh and is manufactured in Sanford, NC. Project Benefits: This project will help us educate the community about our solar project made possible through previous funding The ArtsCenter received last year through the Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Program. This shelter will offer our community a solar workspace, a solar classroom and a solar charging station 10 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 for up to 16 devices. By adding signage to Haven with QR codes that link to our website, we can share how both Haven and our full rooftop solar system are positively impacting our community. By amplifying our commitment to green design and initiatives, Haven will become the focal point of our Outdoor Eco‐Classroom. Our youth will learn creative ways they can incorporate ecofriendly life choices into their day‐to‐day routines. Making our commitment to the environment more visible, individuals and businesses alike will be inspired to adopt similar initiatives, specifically solar. Reviewer Comments: This project did not offer a significant amount of GHG reduction for the expenditure and therefore we did not recommend funding. We would like to encourage the ArtsCenter to continue to apply for funding for impactful projects that are highly visible to the community and that provide educational opportunities. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $1,354 #10 Ranked Project – St Thomas More Catholic Church Applicant (Collaborators): N/A Funding Requested: $22,030 Recommended Funding Level: $0 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 16 Project Description: Installation of an EV charging Station in the church/parish center area that would be freely accessible to visitors on campus. Equipment costs are for parts and equipment. Personnel costs are for installation and project associated labor. Project Benefits: The station will be located in the parking area of the building where most meetings and activities happen making it accessible to any visitor on campus with an EV. EV chargers offset fossil fuels that would be burned by internal combustion engines in fuel engine vehicles. The EV charger station would be tied to the solar array to be installed on the building roof later this year, therefore offsetting electric grid electricity generated by fossil fuel plants in NC. Reviewer Comments: In the future, this grant would be more likely to receive recommendation for funding if the project were expanded to offer benefits to those beyond the St. Thomas More community due to the nature of the time it takes to complete a full charge. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $225 #11 Ranked Project – Triangle ECycling Applicant (Collaborators): Bike Walk NC, Carolina Tarwheels, City of Raleigh, Chapel Hill Cycling, Bicycle Alliance of Chapel Hill Funding Requested: $50,000 Recommended Funding Level: $0 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 13 Project Description: To purchase 25‐30 electronic bikes and sell them to Orange County residents at below market prices. Half of the bikes will be sold to qualified low‐income residents using a discount voucher program to promote social justice and racial equity. This pilot program will raise awareness of ebikes as a healthy, environmentally friendly way of reducing car trips and commuting, including accessing public transportation for work and school. It will be the first step in making Orange County a leader in the national ebike voucher movement.” Project Benefits: The people who purchase the ebikes will benefit most directly. Indirectly the community will benefit from reduced GHG emissions. This is a small pilot program but OC residents will benefit from the increased use of ebikes as they are proven to replace cars for short “around town” trips and provide a way to commute from 11 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 home and work for public transportation riders. The positive impact on air quality and traffic congestion are benefits that can be shared by all. Reviewer Comments: Recommend not funding at this time. We support the idea and would love to see this concept considered further in future grant cycles with additional information on the specific logistics of this proposal further described. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $791 #1 Ranked School Project – Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Applicant (Collaborators): Funding Requested: $270,000 Recommended Funding Level: $94,014 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 17 Project Description: Funds will be used to accelerate LED campus lighting changeovers on school district’s campuses – specifically, to fund 50% or more of the cost to complete this work at Carrboro High School. Project Benefits: To provide the latest lighting technology to reduce energy usage while providing superior lighting for students, staff and campus visitors. Over 500 students and 100 staff will benefit each day. There is an on‐going benefit of eliminating lighting maintenance which is very significant. The project accelerates and expands the LED campus lighting project. Reviewer Comments: These funds may be spent over the next 2 years and although we cannot fully fund either project, we are in full support of these projects. The allocation of school funds is split 1/3 CHCCS and 2/3 OCS due to the fact that OCS has not been able to apply for and receive funding over the past two grant cycles. Since the creation of the Community Climate Action Grant, CHCCS has received $525,075 more than OCS. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $93 #2 Ranked School Project – Orange County Schools Applicant (Collaborators): Funding Requested: $287,959 Recommended Funding Level: $188,029 Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 11 Project Description: To add a second 54‐panel solar pedestal and battery bank storage which can generate power for four EV chargers, stadium lights at Orange Middle School and irrigation pumps for athletic fields at Orange High School while creating a battery bank of storage sufficient to sell energy back to Duke Energy. Project Benefits: Solar power reduces operating expenses of the schools and provides opportunity for overall budget cost reductions, while also generating revenue to offset utility expenses. Off the grid energy production creates resiliency and opportunities for educating about solar power within the schools. Reviewer Comments: These funds may be spent over the next 2 years and although we cannot fully fund either project, we are in full support of these projects. The allocation of school funds is split 1/3 CHCCS and 2/3 OCS due to the fact that OCS has not been able to apply for and receive funding over the past two grant cycles. Since the creation of the Community Climate Action Grant, CHCCS has received $525,075 more than OCS. Grant Dollars Requested Per Metric Ton of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced During Project Lifetime: $340 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Appendix: Full Scoring Table: General Applications: Name Project Funding Requested Social Justice Racial Equity GHG Emissions Reduced Efficient Use of Funds Capacity of Applicant Local Economic Develop‐ ment Amount Duration of Engage‐ ment Time to Complete Total Score out of 26 Points Final Rank Out of 6 points Out of 4 points Out of 4 points Out of 3 points Out of 3 points Out of 3 points Out of 3 points Habitat for Humanity Supplemental Weatherization $55,000.00 4 3 4 3 3 2 2 21 1 Urban Sustainability Solutions Growing More than Rain Gardens $69,156.00 6 2 3 3 2 3 2 21 2 Town of Chapel Hill LED Lighting Upgrades $95,000.00 4 3 4 3 2 2 2 20 3 Hillsborough United Church of Christ Solar Panel Project $10,000.00 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 20 4 Binkley Baptist Church Let There Be (Clean Energy) Light! $49,036.02 4 3 3 3 1 2 2 18 5 EMPOWERment Rooftop Solar on PEACH Apartments $134,562.00 5 3 3 2 2 1 2 18 6 Club Nova Big Impact Small Footprint $37,227.38 5 1 2 3 2 2 2 17 7 Eco‐Institute at Sanctuary Farm Community Garden Cooperative $50,800.00 6 1 1 3 2 2 2 17 8 The Arts Center Haven for Outdoor Eco‐Classroom $41,729.00 4 2 2 3 2 2 2 17 9 St. Thomas More Catholic Church EV Charging Station $22,030.00 2 3 3 3 1 2 2 16 10 Triangle ECycling The e is for Equity $50,000.00 3 2 2 2 1 1 2 13 11 School Applications: Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools LED Lights $270,000 3 3 3 3 1 2 2 17 1 Orange County Schools Solar Panel $287,959 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 11 2 13 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 Attachment 2 ‐ Community Climate Action Grant Project Status * 54 Panel bi‐facial solar pedestal and two EV chargers; ** Chapel Hill and East Chapel Hill High School and Morris Grove and Northside Elementary receiving solar (installation August 2024) Fiscal Year Project Organization Award Amount Estimated Annual GHG Reduction metric tons CO2e Project Status 19‐20 Solar for Schools* Orange County Schools$150,000 82In progress19‐20 Solar for Schools** Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools $150,000 194In progress19‐20 Supplemental Weatherization Orange County$150,000 22 In progress19‐20 LED Light Campaign* Orange County$19,272 10.5 COMPLETED 20‐21 Tree Planting Program Town of Chapel Hill$40,000 533lbsPlanting trees now20‐21 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Town of Chapel Hill$18,500 6COMPLETED20‐21 Cedar Falls Park LED Light Conversion Town of Chapel Hill$128,057 9 COMPLETED20‐21 Cane Creek Reservoir 352.4 kW Solar OWASA$75,000 119 COMPLETED20‐21 Water heater replacements NAACP$122,100 26 In progress20‐21 Solar Panels on Affordable Habitat Homes Habitat for Humanity of Orange County $95,000 43 COMPLETED 21‐22 Low Income HVAC Replacement Rebuilding Together of the Triangle $113,000 34 In progress21‐22 Neighborhood Energy Resiliency ProjectNC Sustainable Energy Association $90,000 10 In progress21‐22 Food Waste Monitor Eno River Farmer’s Market$4,000 37COMPLETED21‐22 Food Waste Monitor Town of Carrboro$3,765 44 In progress21‐22 Bike Rack and EV Charging Station The ArtsCenter$17,000 6COMPLETED21‐22 203 Project Solar Array and Green RoofTown of Carrboro$40,567 See FY 22‐23In progress21‐22 Solar for Schools Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools $250,00 See FY 19‐20In progress 22‐23 Habitat Rooftop Solar Habitat for Humanity$100,000 70In progress22‐23 Weatherization Rebuilding Together of the Triangle $25,00026 In progress22‐23 Food Waste Monitors Eno River Farmers’ Market$4,500 37 In progress22‐23 203 Solar Project Town of Carrboro$40,575 23In progress22‐23 Fleet Electrification Project Town of Chapel Hill$50,000 33 In progress22‐23 Solar Roof The ArtsCenter$55,000 28 COMPLETED22‐23 Emission Reductions Through HVAC Replacements Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools $275,075 80 In progress 14DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78 ANY PROPRIETOR/PARTNER/EXECUTIVEOFFICER/MEMBER EXCLUDED? INSR ADDL SUBRLTR INSD WVD PRODUCER CONTACTNAME: FAXPHONE(A/C, No):(A/C, No, Ext): E-MAILADDRESS: INSURER A : INSURED INSURER B : INSURER C : INSURER D : INSURER E : INSURER F : POLICY NUMBER POLICY EFF POLICY EXPTYPE OF INSURANCE LIMITS(MM/DD/YYYY) (MM/DD/YYYY) AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY UMBRELLA LIAB EXCESS LIAB WORKERS COMPENSATIONAND EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS / LOCATIONS / VEHICLES (ACORD 101, Additional Remarks Schedule, may be attached if more space is required) AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE EACH OCCURRENCE $ DAMAGE TO RENTEDCLAIMS-MADE OCCUR $PREMISES (Ea occurrence) MED EXP (Any one person) $ PERSONAL & ADV INJURY $ GEN'L AGGREGATE LIMIT APPLIES PER: GENERAL AGGREGATE $ PRO-POLICY LOC PRODUCTS - COMP/OP AGGJECT OTHER: $ COMBINED SINGLE LIMIT $(Ea accident) ANY AUTO BODILY INJURY (Per person) $ OWNED SCHEDULED BODILY INJURY (Per accident) $AUTOS ONLY AUTOS HIRED NON-OWNED PROPERTY DAMAGE $AUTOS ONLY AUTOS ONLY (Per accident) $ OCCUR EACH OCCURRENCE CLAIMS-MADE AGGREGATE $ DED RETENTION $ PER OTH-STATUTE ER E.L. 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THIS CERTIFICATE DOES NOT AFFIRMATIVELY OR NEGATIVELY AMEND, EXTEND OR ALTER THE COVERAGE AFFORDED BY THE POLICIES BELOW. THIS CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE ISSUING INSURER(S), AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OR PRODUCER, AND THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER. IMPORTANT: If the certificate holder is an ADDITIONAL INSURED, the policy(ies) must have ADDITIONAL INSURED provisions or be endorsed. If SUBROGATION IS WAIVED, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, certain policies may require an endorsement. A statement on this certificate does not confer rights to the certificate holder in lieu of such endorsement(s). COVERAGES CERTIFICATE NUMBER: REVISION NUMBER: CERTIFICATE HOLDER CANCELLATION © 1988-2015 ACORD CORPORATION. All rights reserved.ACORD 25 (2016/03) CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE DATE (MM/DD/YYYY) $ $ $ $ $ The ACORD name and logo are registered marks of ACORD 3/19/2024 (919) 636-3252 2 Empowerment, Inc. 109 N. Graham Street, #200 Chapel Hill, NC 27516 A 1,000,000 X NPP2578454 6/16/2023 6/16/2024 10,000 1,000,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 B TWC4261807 6/16/2023 6/16/2024 500,000 500,000 500,000 C Professional Liabili PM1553951 7/29/2023 E&O Occ/Agg 1,000,000 C D&O/EPLI NDO1564703F 12/16/2023 12/16/2024 Aggregate 1,000,000 Orange County, its officers, agents, and employees are added as Additional Insured as respects General Liability as required by written contract. Cyber Occurence $1,000,000 Aggregate $1,000,000 ACE American Insurance Company 6/16/2023-2024 Orange County West Tryon Street P.O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 EMPOINC-01 VDECAMP Titan Risk Consultants LLC107 Conner Drive, Suite 225Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Victoria DeCamp v.decamp@titanriskconsultants.com Mount Vernon Fire Insurance Company Technology Insurance Company, Inc. United States Liability Insurance Company 7/29/2024 DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78