Perdue outlines energy plan

CARY — Standing in front of solar farm, Gov. Beverly Perdue this morning announced an energy program designed to both make North Carolina more energy efficient and also create more jobs connected to the so-called green economy.

The governor proposed investing more public money in private alternate energy start-up companies, elevate state energy policies, and also make state government more energy efficient, Rob Christensen reports.

"Developing our green economy is one of the cornerstones of why I wanted to be governor," Perdue said.

Perdue said the proposals were part of her campaign promise in 2008, in which she said she would work to produce more jobs in North Carolina for projects such as weatherizing homes and businesses, and making the equipment needed for alternative energy forms such as solar power.

After the jump, her proposals. 

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* Establish an energy investment revolving loan fund to provide low interest or no interest loans to finance energy-saving projects at businesses, local governments, schools and elsewhere. It will be funded with $18 million in federal stimulus money.

* Expand a Green Business Fund to award competitive grants to businesses and organizations with innovative environmentally-friendly projects. It would be funded by $10 million in federal stimulus money.

* Move the State Energy Office and the state weatherization program to the Department of Commerce, to improve coordination. The State Energy Office is now part of the Department of Administration and the weatherization office is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

* Reinvigorate the Energy Policy Council, reducing the number of council members while also increasing the representation of of environmental groups and alternative energy producers. She also plans to name an energy advisor next week.

Perdue made the announcement on a solar farm started by SAS, the Cary software company. With 5,040 solar panels, the site is one of the three largest solar farms in North Carolina.