DELTEC GOES SOLAR
Deltec Homes, a green-home company based in Asheville, recently completed outfitting their manufacturing plant with one of the largest private solar installations in North Carolina. The on-site generation of power along with purchased renewable energy credits will ensure that all of Deltec’s homes are built with 100 percent renewable energy. “We wanted to practice what we preach,” said Leila Stephens, a green building consultant with the company, at the dedication of the solar installation this past January. Congressman Heath Shuler, Representative Charles Thomas, Susan Roderick of Quality Forward and Craig DeBrew of Progress Energy attended the dedication.

SECOND MOVING BOX EXCHANGE CREATED
A new moving box exchange location has been established in Buncombe County. The new exchange was a collaborative effort by Beverly-Hanks & Associates, Quality Forward and Curbside Management, Inc. The new exchange shed is located in Woodfin on the grounds of Curbside Management Recycling at 116 N. Woodfin Avenue and is open Monday to Friday from 7 am to 6 pm and Saturdays 7 am to 5 pm. The exchange serves as a drop-off point for those who have moved and no longer need their boxes and a pick-up point for those who are moving and can reuse the existing boxes. It is for moving boxes only: no liquor, food or other miscellaneous boxes. The boxes should be collapsed, clean and in good condition. Availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The County’s first moving box exchange was installed over five years ago and is located in Asheville at 191 Hominy Creek Road. That exchange is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm and Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm. Funds for the moving box exchange sheds were provided by the W. Neal Hanks, Sr. Memorial Foundation and Beverly-Hanks & Associates. For more information, or to download a copy of the brochure, visit www.qualityforward.com.

EDUCATION GRANTS HELP ASHEVILLE STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY
Employees in the Asheville City Schools system were recently awarded the first ever Progress Energy Education Grants funded by Progress Energy and administered by the nonprofit Asheville City Schools Foundation (ACS). This year, $5,000 has been allocated for projects created by area teachers that will educate students on the sources and production of energy. Four of the five projects are based on exploring alternative energy, including the building of cars that run on solar energy at Asheville Middle School. “Progress Energy is pleased to work with Asheville City Schools’ students to embrace energy conservation and explore renewable energy sources,” says Martha Thompson, Community Relations Manager for Progress Energy’s western region. “This is a great partnership to help students learn the power and value of our natural resources.” The ACS Foundation has awarded Progress Energy Micro Grants since 2001 for creative and innovative staff projects that the schools cannot fund. For more information on the Foundation or the granting process, visit www.acsf.org.

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