Environmental and Energy Stewardship Subcommittee Meeting

Environmental and Energy Stewardship Subcommittee Meeting Recap – May 16, 2025

On May 16, 2025, the Environmental and Energy Stewardship Subcommittee convened to discuss ongoing environmental initiatives and energy programs within Buncombe County. The meeting provided updates on several key areas, including a new statewide program called Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE), the county’s comprehensive Environmental and Energy Strategic Plan, and preparations for potential natural hazards. This recap summarizes the key discussions, decisions, and next steps emerging from this important meeting.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on CPACE, a program designed to encourage energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades for commercial properties. This voluntary program allows businesses, including apartment complexes, to finance improvements through a special assessment added to their property tax bill. Importantly, this assessment remains tied to the property itself, even if the business sells. While no Buncombe County businesses are currently utilizing CPACE, county staff will be actively monitoring the program’s progress statewide and exploring how it can benefit local businesses. The committee emphasized the need for clear communication about this program, ensuring that business owners understand its potential benefits and requirements.

Beyond CPACE, the subcommittee received an update on Buncombe County’s Environmental and Energy Strategic Plan, which is nearing completion. This plan will serve as a roadmap for environmental initiatives over the coming years. Discussions also touched on critical topics like hazard mitigation – specifically preparing for landslides and wildfires – with a consensus emerging to incorporate community safety considerations into the finalized strategic plan. The committee also explored opportunities for collaboration with the North Carolina Clean Energy Fund (part of the Green Bank) to provide low-cost financing for energy efficiency upgrades, particularly for income-qualified households. Finally, the importance of resilience hubs and preserving Buncombe County's agricultural heritage were briefly discussed.

Several key decisions were made during the meeting. The agenda was approved without dissent, and a tentative schedule for quarterly subcommittee meetings was established, with the next meeting tentatively planned for August. This will allow time to review progress on the strategic plan and assess potential impacts from changes in federal funding. The committee acknowledged a need to improve communication regarding available programs and resources for residents, highlighting the importance of keeping the community informed.

Community input was limited but present through a brief discussion on ensuring clear communication and education about available programs. The committee recognized that proactive outreach is essential to ensure residents are aware of and can benefit from these initiatives.

Looking ahead, several action items were identified for county staff. These include continued monitoring of the CPACE program and outreach to local businesses, sharing information about available programs, revisiting strategic plan goals with a focus on hazard mitigation and community safety, investigating expert advice on wildfire mitigation and agricultural preservation, refining the Green Bank loan loss reserve program, and continuing community engagement through surveys and pop-up events.

Ultimately, the meeting underscored a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and energy efficiency in Buncombe County. The discussions highlighted the importance of proactive planning, community engagement, and leveraging partnerships to address challenges like climate resilience and natural hazard preparedness. These ongoing efforts will directly impact residents by contributing to a more sustainable, resilient, and vibrant community for years to come.