Pisgah Energy

How do we value resilience in the face of increasingly common severe weather events? How do we see our communities and businesses through sustained power outages? Do we stick to the ‘old reliable’ diesel generator, or do we invest in Solar + Storage? A 2018 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) addresses these questions and demonstrates that valuing #resilience can make Solar + Storage Systems economical in cases where they wouldn't be otherwise. Granted, increasing the cost-effectiveness of these systems is just one way to calculate their worth.  It’s a useful starting point though, especially for #commercialbuilding owners concerned about the loss of business due to a power outage.   Dive into NREL’s findings here: https://lnkd.in/eWUBfrVq #solar #energystorage

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) designed an Emissions Reduction Planning Toolkit to help buildings and industry develop and implement an Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP). This easy-to-use toolkit is consistent with the DOE's Framework for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Planning, a resource designed to support organizations in the creation of a specific, actionable plan to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG Emissions. Need help creating an ERP? Explore this robust resource here: https://lnkd.in/e5zskS4F

We've had the honor of working with the Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO) team on solar projects for a few of their apartment communities. MHO's mission to provide affordable housing to the most vulnerable members of our community is critical, perhaps even more so now in the wake of Helene. Please consider supporting MHO with a donation to its Hurricane Helene Housing Recovery Fund. This is a local fund that supports resident emergency assistance, rental assistance, essential home repair, and long-term housing recovery. "There are many critical needs in the weeks and months ahead, from formalizing the support and delivery networks serving our communities to addressing the vast urgent home repair needs before colder winter weather arrives. As we find brief moments to imagine what the future holds, let’s envision a more resilient region, with plentiful, well-located affordable housing resources. We stand ready to help the communities of western North Carolina rebuild. Just as we have for the last 36 years of our organization's history, we will be guided by our mission to build hope and dignity in the people we serve. Together, let’s rebuild hope." - Geoffrey Barton, MHO President & CEO https://lnkd.in/e2_4wnMN

On October 7th, Mountain BizWorks announced a rapid #recovery loan program to assist Western North Carolina small #businesses in recovering from the impacts of Helene. The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund was established with an initial $7.5 million from the The Golden LEAF Foundation. Through the Fund, small businesses can apply for loans up to $100,000 to help meet immediate needs and bridge to longer term relief resources. For terms and application information, visit https://lnkd.in/e3Cn-GSZ.

On October 7th, Mountain BizWorks announced a rapid #recovery loan program to assist Western North Carolina small #businesses in recovering from the impacts of Helene. The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund was established with an initial $7.5 million from the The Golden LEAF Foundation. Through the Fund, small businesses can apply for loans up to $100,000 to help meet immediate needs and bridge to longer term relief resources. For terms and application information, visit https://lnkd.in/e3Cn-GSZ.

The Business Recovery Workspace is open! Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with Lenoir-Rhyne University Asheville to provide a temporary workspace free of charge to business owners, nonprofits and employees displaced by Helene. Location: 2nd Floor, 36 Montford Avenue, Asheville Hours of Operation: 9-5pm, M-F, October 16th-December 31, 2024 Open to ALL businesses, first-come, first-served. Power, Internet, Water and Hot Coffee provided. Bring your own laptop.

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Storm Resources page provides information and resources for local businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. These resources, among many others, include a form for local businesses to share their recovery needs, links to apply for disaster assistance through the U.S. Small Business Association, FEMA and the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, as well as a link to NC Works Disaster Unemployment. https://lnkd.in/eCRvcmrD If you are looking for ways to support Asheville and Buncombe County businesses, consider making a donation to the Mountain Strong Fund through the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Community Betterment Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  https://lnkd.in/e89wqbpz

We are relieved to report that the entire Pisgah Energy team is safe and well after Hurricane Helene swept through last week, ravaging Western North Carolina. It's hard to comprehend the loss, destruction and suffering the storm left in its wake. Our hearts ache for everyone who calls this beautiful region home; it's going to be a long road back. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love, support and assistance coming into our community. It is truly incredible how many people and organizations are offering up their time, services and resources to bring critical supplies to those in need and help Western North Carolina recover from this crippling blow. With all our hearts, we thank you. One such group is the Footprint Project, a disaster response organization serving communities in crisis with decarbonized power infrastructure. They are in our area now, setting up mobile solar+storage microgrid units to provide power for community resilience base camps and long-term recovery sites where grid restoration is expected to take more than four days. If you are a licensed electrician, engineer or contractor and would like to volunteer your time to help assess/install the microgrids or if your company is interested in donating renewable energy equipment fill out the form provided here: https://lnkd.in/ePe3Jsqd To support the Footprint Project's efforts with a financial donation text HELENE to 44-321 or visit their website https://lnkd.in/dJBH8RF However you may choose to help the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, thank you. You're support means more than you'll ever know.

Money saved and progress made! The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released it's 2024 Better Buildings Initiative Progress report on September 16th. Better Building Initiative partners represent 28 Fortune 100 companies, 13% of commercial building space in the U.S. and more than 90 state and local governments. According to the report, these partner organizations saved almost $22 billion through #energyefficiency improvements and #emissionreduction measures. Since the program started in 2011, "Partners have collectively cut their water use by nearly 22 billion gallons, diverted over 3.5 million tons of waste from landfills and slashed greenhouse gas emissions by more than 220 million metric tons, with financial allies extending over $37 billion for energy efficiency and #renewableenergy projects since then, the report says." Want to learn more about this initiative? Jump into the FacilitiesDive article here: https://lnkd.in/eGwFzPg6

We're proud to play a part in Buncombe County Government's efforts to reach 100% #renewableenergy by 2042! It's an ambitious goal, and #solar plays a large part in reaching it. Rooftop by rooftop, ground-mount by ground-mount, canopy by canopy - they move closer every day! Learn more about Buncombe County's efforts here: https://lnkd.in/e_WHTsbF