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The North Carolina State Energy Office will conduct an interactive Webcast workshop on Tuesday, July 21 to help local government and public school officials gain access to more than $58.3 million in federal Recovery Act funds for energy conservation and job creation.

Representatives from community colleges, public school systems, and local governments are urged to participate.  The two-hour session are will start promptly at 10 a.m.  A link posted on the State Energy Office home page, www.energync.net, will take participants directly to the Webcast.  There is no fee and no registration.

Participants will be able to ask questions or make comments during the Webcast by: calling toll free: 1. 888.228.6736; sending a fax: 919.715.3569; or sending an e-mail: open@doa.nc.gov

In addition to Webcast, the State Energy Office has posted a detailed Power Point presentation being used for the session, along with other background information, on its web site, www.energync.net.

Through the federal Recovery Act, $58.3 million has been designated for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants for local and state agencies in North Carolina with $37.4 million designated to 32 of the state’s largest cities and counties and the Cherokee Indian reservation.  The remaining $20.9 million will be distributed by the State Energy Office to the state’s smaller communities, other local agencies, community colleges and public schools on a competitive basis.

In addition to the energy block grant funds, North Carolina is receiving $75.9 million to improve energy efficiency, promote greater use of renewable energy resources and create more green jobs.  North Carolina is also receiving $132 million in federal weatherization funds through the Recovery Act to expand efforts to assist low-income homeowners with energy-efficient upgrades to their houses.  The state is also eligible for $8.85 million in federal funds to participate in the Energy Star appliance rebate program.