news-record.com

The Triangle J Council of Governments, in partnership with the N.C. Solar Center and other organizations, has submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy (not Education as I mistyped before) a $39.1 million proposal for its Carolinas Blue Skies and Green Jobs initiative.

The funding would essentially help pay to expand the use of alternative fuels and advanced motor vehicle technologies in North Carolina and South Carolina. Anne Tazewell with the N.C. Solar Center explained the status of the grant application at a N.C. Mobile CARE meeting in Greensboro today.

Tazewell said the state expects the energy department to announce grantees in October. About $2.6 million of the grant would pay for Triad area projects, including: 

* 10 Toyota Prius hybrids in Guilford County;

* 2 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, one CNG refueling station and 10 hybrid vehicles for the city of Greensboro;

* 12 CNG vehicles and one CNG station in Eden; and

* 2 hybrid bucket trucks for Pike Electric.

People who want to learn more about the Solar Center's clean transportation program or how to get funding for alternative energy projects should check out this Web site.