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County presents renewable-energy gains, Green Source Advantage purchase and updated high-performance building policy
Summary
Durham County staff outlined progress toward greenhouse-gas and renewable-energy goals, including a 34.4-MW Green Source Advantage solar subscription that will deliver County electricity starting in late 2027, energy-efficiency projects, and a proposed update to the county's high-performance building policy covering LEED goals, electrification and EV readiness.
The county's sustainability team told commissioners that its greenhouse-gas inventory is down 18% from baseline and outlined a multi-pronged plan to reach emissions and renewable-energy targets. Sustainability and renewable-energy staff described an agreement under the state's Green Source Advantage program for a 34.4-megawatt solar project that will provide roughly 10.5 MW to the county and is expected to come online in late 2027 under a 20-year contract structure.
"We will be benefiting for 10.5 megawatts of that electricity when it comes online in 2027," the sustainability manager said, adding the county is not paying upfront cost for the installation; the project developer funds construction and the county receives credits on energy bills over time. Staff also recapped on-site solar, a facilities assessment of 42 county buildings and a recommended set of 12 "priority facilities" that, if upgraded and paired with on-site generation and efficiency, would put the county on track to meet greenhouse-gas targets ahead of schedule.
Separately, staff presented a proposed update to the county's high-performance building policy to reflect newer standards (including LEED Gold baseline, building electrification, EV-ready parking and bird-friendly glazing). The update would apply to both new construction and substantial renovations and aims to codify existing practice, increase transparency and include commissioning and operational best practices. Staff said a two-phase approach is planned: design/engineering for the 12 priority facilities followed by construction as funding allows.
Commissioners directed staff to advance the Green Source Advantage sign-on letter to the Utilities Commission, requested continued outreach to partner governments and asked for a work session on the facilities-assessment engineering package and funding options.
