Carolina in the News

Check out the recent media mentions of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC: 

Tax incentives for GE expansion a win-win 

Star News (Wilmington, NC) 

GE Aviation is investing $195 million to expand four facilities in North Carolina and add 240 jobs by 2017. GE Aviation’s investment will help secure North Carolina’s future as an aerospace manufacturing hub. John Kasarda, director of the Center for Air Commerce at UNC–Chapel Hill, commented that these advanced materials manufacturing sites “are the leading sectors, the fastest-growing parts of the industry.” “They are cutting edge, and I think it bodes well for the future of the aerospace business in North Carolina.” Read more » 

Thanks to UNC News Services for finding these great stories AND compiling the summaries! You can find more UNC media coverage and stories online at http://uncnews.unc.edu.

Planning a barbecue or summer soirée? Consider an eco-friendly grill to decrease your barbecue’s carbon footprint. Traditional charcoal grills release the most carbon monoxide and ground-level ozone. Cleaner propane and electric grills are less harmful, while solar-powered grills are truly green. Read more »

Green Residence Hall Room Virtual Tour

Preparing for Move-In? Take a tour of this Green Residence Hall Room to help plan your packing and shopping lists. Learn about sustainable items to bring to campus and how to live green once you’re here. Whether you're an incoming first-year, transfer student, or graduating senior, you play an integral role in advancing sustainability on campus. Read more »

UNC Tapped to Transform STEM Education

Carolina has been named one of eight project sites to improve the quality of undergraduate education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Association of American Universities (AAU) awarded $500,000 to bolster an ongoing initiative in the College of Arts and Sciences to enhance introductory science education in biology, chemistry, and physics. Innovative instructional techniques and technologies will flip the format of large classes so that lectures are viewed before coming to class and scheduled meeting times involve interactive activities. The grant will enable UNC to hire additional science education lecturers and provide training for both junior and senior faculty through the Center for Faculty Excellence. The AAU plans to create a national STEM network to share best practices. Read more »

McCrory Cheers on UNC Energy Savings

Governor McCrory is praising energy-saving efforts that will avoid $25 million in costs at 13 UNC campuses. The collaboration, coordinated by the UNC General Administration and the State Energy Office, will result in the installation of more than 100,000 lighting fixtures in classrooms, residence halls, and other University facilities. Cree, a local manufacturer of LED lighting, will be a primary subcontractor. The cost of upgrading the light fixtures is guaranteed to pay for itself in seven years. Read more »

Pittsboro Students Build Sustainable Cottage

Sustainable technology students at Central Carolina Community College recently completed construction of the 450-square-foot “Chatham Cottage.” Built to Energy Star standards and equipped with low-flow plumbing fixtures and green building materials, the cottage encourages sustainable living. The cottage was funded by a $30,000 grant from the Progress Energy Foundation. The proceeds raised from auctioning off the house will fund next year’s building project. Read more »

Ag Officials Tour Locally Grown Food Hub in Durham

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials recently visited Durham’s Eastern Carolina Organics (ECO) to learn about an emerging business model for distributing regionally grown, mostly organic food to the larger wholesale market. ECO markets and distributes food from farms around the Carolinas and Virginia to restaurants, institutions – including Carolina Dining Services, and retailers. Firsthand Foods, a company which uses a similar wholesale model for the distribution of ethically raised livestock, shares the warehouse space. “There are very few [small] scale producers who are able to access wholesale markets,” said Sandi Kronick, ECO’s chief financial officer. “We give local farmers the strength to help them keep growing.” Read more »

Solar Lending Heats up for N.C. Banks

In the last couple years, North Carolina-based banks have put tens of millions of dollars into solar and other alternative energy projects. After installing a 1.7- megawatt solar array atop its corporate data center, Raleigh-based First Citizens Bank has financed $12 million for nine solar projects since 2011. State and federal tax credits for alternative energy have also attracted investors looking to offset tax liability. Solar developers say financial institutions are a leading source of equity financing. Read more »

Yadkinville Plant Makes Polyester Yarn from Recycled Plastic Bottles

High-tech yarns and fabrics are currently the heart of North Carolina textile manufacturing. Unifi Manufacturing Inc. spins yarn from ground-up plastic bottles and other polyester waste at its Yadkinville plant. Plastic pellets, formed when the bottles are melted down, are extruded through the tiny holes, and joined into threads of various shapes and thicknesses to achieve different textures and lusters. Last year, the Yadkinville plant recycled more than 410 million plastic bottles for yarn. Read more »

Colorado Energy Saving Mortgage Program Provides Incentive for Zero Net Energy Homes

Colorado is set to create more construction jobs, increase state and local government tax revenue, and move its housing market to Zero Net Energy (ZNE) homes, which produce as much on-site energy as they consume. The Energy Saving Mortgage Program offers an $8,000 incentive to ZNE homebuyers. Homebuyers will also benefit from lower energy bills. Read more »

Oregon Legislature Unanimously Passes Tuition Free Higher Education

Hoping to alleviate the burden of student loan debt, Oregon has passed a plan to provide tuition-free education at state universities. Advocates of the plan describe it as a “pay it forward” model. Students will attend state universities free of charge then pay three percent of their paycheck for 24 years to fund the program for future students. The bill passed the Oregon legislature unanimously the same day that the interest rate on federally subsidized Stafford Loans doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Read more » 

Innovative Carbon Use Challenge

The Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation invites proposals for technologies that convert greenhouse gases into valuable carbon-based products. Selected proposals will receive CAD $500,000 funding in seed grants. Apply by July 31. Read more »

Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group – Executive Director – NC

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University of Virginia – Associate Director of Sustainability – VA

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Stormwater Utility Administrator – VA

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Consortium for Ocean Leadership – Senior Policy Manager – DC

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Brown University – Energy and Environment Programs Outreach Coordinator – RI

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Florida Gulf Coast University – Postdoc/Research Associate Position Wetland Biogeochemistry – FL

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Rochester Institute of Technology – Golisano Institute for Sustainability – Pollution Prevention Institute – Marketing and Communications Program Coordinator – NY

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State University of New York – Office of Sustainability – Project Assistant – NY

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Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Director of Sustainability – MA

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Emerson College – Associate Director-Coordinator of Wellness Education – MA

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Curry College – Diversity Coordinator – MA

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Yale University – Yale Sustainable Food Project – Communications Coordinator – CT

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Macalester College – Facilities Services – Director – MN

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Verdis Group – Senior Associate – NE

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University of Texas at Austin – Zero Waste Coordinator – TX

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Strategic Energy Innovations – Assistant Project Coordinator – CA

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Farmer Foodshare – Volunteer – NC

Read more » Contact Katy Phillips

HOPE Gardens – Volunteer – NC

Read more » Contact Amanda Wilkins