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County renames climate action plan, advances energy audits and sustainability projects
Summary
Charleston County renamed its climate action plan the "sustainability plan" and reported progress on an energy savings performance contract and a DOE-funded weatherization program that has one audit complete and six more scheduled.
Charleston County sustainability staff said the county has renamed its climate action plan to the "sustainability plan" and is advancing multiple projects intended to cut energy use and expand public awareness. A county staff member said the county is "in the data collection phase with our contractor" on an energy savings performance contract and has provided Energy Star data and utility bills to the contractor.
Staff reported progress on a U.S. Department of Energy EECBG (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant) award that funds weatherization and residential energy audits. The staff member said the program identified 20 homes under the grant's eligibility criteria, with one audit completed and six audits scheduled. She described the audit process and the door-blower test used to locate air leaks and explained that contractors will recommend sealing and other retrofits where applicable. Because grant rules limit eligibility, staff explained homes were selected based on inclusion in a community development program and designation as a disadvantaged community (DAC) under federal criteria.
The county is providing energy-conservation kits to participating homeowners when full weatherization is not possible. Staff said each kit contains an energy-saving guide for warm-weather homes, LED bulbs, a water aerator, a power-surge outlet, and sealants recommended by contractors. Staff also described efforts to publicize the program and suggested that, when homeowners consent, before-and-after savings could help demonstrate program outcomes during budget requests.
Other sustainability work described in the meeting included restarting an internal green-liaisons volunteer program for county staff, development of an interactive story map (to display Energy Star buildings, green buildings, EVs, permanent solar installations and greenbelt parcels), and a forthcoming intern hire: staff said 70 applicants applied and hiring should be finalized by the end of the month.
Staff emphasized outreach and partner referrals where county eligibility prevents direct assistance. They said the county links to Dominion Energy and other free local programs on its website to help households seeking energy assessments outside the county's grant-funded scope.
No formal motions or budget approvals occurred during the update; staff described projects in progress and identified next steps for contractor meetings, audit scheduling and public outreach.
