T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating Opens Library
Asheville’s T.H.E. (Treatment, Healing and Education) Center for Disordered Eating, a nonprofit organization and community resource that provides referral information, support groups and educational resources with the goal of raising awareness about the prevention and treatment of eating disorders and related body issues, recently opened a new library that contains over 100 books, CDs and DVDs. The library was funded by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, a nonprofit organization that manages charitable funds created by individuals and families and makes grants to other local nonprofit organizations. Use of the facility is free to the public.

“Volunteers worked hard to prepare the books and library space for use because they understand the need—many of these titles are not available in our public libraries, and there are a lot of people in our community suffering,” says Linda Daignault, the Center’s director. The Center’s Library will be open during their weekly support group on Wednesdays at 7 pm as well as by appointment. Additional hours will be added in upcoming months. For appointments, call 828-337-4685, and visit www.thecenternc.org for more information.

Local Company Gets Serious About Solar
Jim Barkley Toyota will soon be equipped with 336 photovoltaic (PV) rooftop solar panels. According to Appalachian Energy, a solar installation company partnering with Jim Barkley Toyota for the project, it will be the largest PV installation in Western North Carolina. The panels will be tied directly to the grid, allowing the company to sell electricity to Progress Energy. “It was a business decision that made good financial sense based on the federal and state tax credits available, as well as the collaboration with Progress Energy and Appalachian Energy,” says Jim Barkley, CEO of Jim Barkley Toyota.
In 2007, Governor Mike Easley signed a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, or REPS, into law to promote renewable energy development in the state. “Combined with federal tax credits, REPS gives companies the opportunity to break even on their investment in solar much more quickly than would otherwise be possible,” says Scott Clark, CEO of Appalachian Energy.

According to Robert Sipes, vice president for Progress Energy’s WNC region, Progress Energy is “pursuing technology, partnerships, and other agreements to expand the use of renewable energy in North Carolina.” He adds that, “Innovative projects such as this one will be critical in meeting our state’s objectives for renewable energy in the future.”

The 75-kilowat installation is set to begin this month and is slated for completion by the end of 2008. For more information, visit www.appalachianenergy.com, www.progress-energy.com or www.jimbarkleytoyota.com.

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