NCDEQ to hold public hearing on weatherization program service provider
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) State Energy Office is holding a public hearing on a proposed regional service provider in eastern North Carolina for the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program.
The program provides free weatherization services for income-eligible households to reduce energy use, lower utility bills and improve home comfort and safety through federal funds. It is funded annually by the federal government.
Under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program was appropriated an additional $89 million to enhance energy efficiency in income-eligible households statewide.
NCDEQ previously accepted public comments and held a hearing on the proposed plan on March 27, 2023. The U.S. Department of Energy approved the plan in August 2023.
The hearing will focus on the proposed adoption of the New North Carolina Project (NNCP) in the following counties:
- Brunswick County
- Carteret County
- Craven County
- Duplin County
- Greene County
- Jones County
- Lenoir County
- New Hanover County
- Onslow County
- Pamlico County
- Pender County
- Wayne County
NNCP was conditionally approved by NCDEQ to serve as the Region 2 service provider after a competitive request for proposals process that opened Dec. 5 and closed Jan. 2. NNCP will be awarded approximately $5 million to serve as the regional provider until 2029 or until funds are depleted.
The public hearing will be held Wednesday, April 8 at 4 p.m. at the NCDEQ Green Square Office Building, Training Room 1210, 217 West Jones St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603.
The hearing is also available online. The meeting number and access code are 2438 254 6635, and the meeting password is ncwap (62927 when dialing from a phone). To join by phone, call +1-415-655-0003.
Public comments can also be submitted by email with “2026 NNCP Comment” in the subject line or by mail to the following address:
DEQ Weatherization Assistance Program,
1613 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, NC 27699-1613
The public comment period runs from March 16 to April 10. All comments must be postmarked, emailed or received by the State Energy Office no later than April 10 to be included in the hearing record.
For more information on the program and to view the statewide service territory map, visit the NCDEQ website.
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