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Earth Day Resolution At their April meeting the Yancey County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution recognizing April 22nd as Earth Day and committed the County to undertaking programs and projects that enhance our community's natural environment through energy efficiency and recycling. The resolution also encourages citizens and businesses to use Earth Day to celebrate protecting the environment and our natural resources and commit to building a sustainable society. As part of a "green initiative" by Yancey County, an $800,000 grant from the United States Department of Energy was awarded to Yancey County with the assistance of Congressman Heath Shuler in December 2008. This grant provides a means to reduce the amount of wood waste that enters the waste stream at the Yancey/Mitchell Transfer Station. Currently, Yancey and Mitchell Counties pay $53 per ton to ship waste received at the transfer station to a landfill in Lenoir. By reducing the amount of waste going into the transfer station Yancey County will see significant savings in those transportation costs. Also part of the environmentally friendly initiative Yancey County has applied for two grants that if funded would increase recycling efforts by the county while decreasing the amount of energy used by county facilities. One of the grants in the amount of $110,000 will expand recycling operations into Pensacola and Bee Log. Currently, these two convenience centers cannot accept recyclable goods due to budget constraints. In addition, the grant would provide a way for residents to recycle used oil and oil filters at the Riverside and South Toe Convenience Centers. Currently, East Yancey is the only convenience center site that accepts used oil and filters. Additionally, this grant will provide a much needed bailer to expedite the processing of recyclable goods that are sold on the market to create a revenue stream for the County. The second grant that the County has applied for is an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. This grant is available from the North Carolina Energy Office through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (Stimulus Funds) and is in the amount of $190,000. If the County is successful in obtaining the grant, the funds will be used to retrofit windows and install a new energy efficiency heating and cooling system in the Yancey County Courthouse. By implementing these energy efficient measures the County could see a savings of more than $5,000 per year on energy costs. The current heating and cooling system at the courthouse is old and is in constant disrepair. County Commission Chairman Walter Savage stated, "When we took office this Board of Commissioners was determined to expand recycling programs in the County and to find new "green" ways to reduce the County's carbon footprint and save taxpayers money in the process. This is a win for everyone involved." |