►
Description
A Ribbon Cutting was held January 25, 2012 at Land-of-Sky Regional Council for the second BioWheels RTS Brightfield Solar Integrated Electric Charging Station in the region. This was a joint collaboration between Buncombe County Government, Land-of-Sky Regional Council and BioWheels RTS.
A
We
welcome
you
to
the
land
of
sky
bright
field
ribbon-cutting.
This
is
a
super
exciting
day.
For
us,
this
bright
field
is
one
of
four
of
these
charging
stations
we
put
into
the
Asheville
community
and
we're
super
proud
of
this
one
because
of
the
partnership
with
the
county
and
with
land
of
sky.
That's
behind
the
scenes
of
this
installation
happening.
So
all
these
bright
fields,
which
I'll
explain
in
a
moment
we're
all
funded
through
a
grant
from
the
North
Carolina
green
business
fund.
A
So
we
call
these
charging
stations
bright
fields
and
what
they're
all
about
is
demonstrating
that
we
can
use
solar
power
to
fuel
our
electric
vehicles.
We
can
be
solar
driven.
We
can
drive
down
the
road
on
sunshine,
so
the
way
it
works
is.
We've
got
a
solar
array
up
here
on
the
canopy
whenever
the
sun
shining
like
right
now
that
solar
array
is
generating
solar
power,
that
power
is
going
out
on
to
the
grid
when
vehicles
come
to
pull
up
at
the
chargers
and
they
plug
in
rain
or
shine
day
or
night.
A
Those
chargers
are
hard-wired
back
to
the
grid
and
that
electricity
comes
to
those
vehicles,
so
we're
using
the
storage
capacity
and
reliability
of
the
grid
and
we're
putting
solar
power
on
it,
and
then
we're
pulling
electricity
back
off
to
charge
the
vehicles
as
a
company
by
wheels.
Rts
is
making
sure
that
we're
generating
more
solar
power
in
the
community
then
is
being
used
at
the
chargers
for
the
vehicles
that
are
driving
down
the
road
and
in
doing
so
we're
making
sure
that
we're
solar
driven
here
in
Asheville,
which
is
pretty
exciting.
A
A
Each
one
of
these
stations
that
we
have
in
the
community
represents
24
jobs,
supported
and
I,
feel
and
Matt
feels
you
know,
represents
a
great
example
of
what
sustainable
economic
development
can
look
like
in
our
community.
When
you
look
at
the
efforts
of
evolve
energy
partnership,
you
look
at
the
efforts
of
grow,
wnc
and
everything
that
land
of
sky
is
involved
in
with
the
Clean
Cities
coalition,
etc.
A
Putting
together
equipment
in
our
community
that
integrates
the
integrates,
the
innovation
of
solar
power
and
electric
vehicle
charging
is
something
to
celebrate
and
something
that
we
can
really
build
on
our
economic
future
on
so
what's
behind
the
scenes
of
this
installation
is
a
whole
lot
of
partnerships,
and
you
see
a
list
on
the
sign
here
in
the
center
of
the
station.
That
really
highlights
the
partners
who
have
been
involved
in
this
project,
but
I
want
to
call
out
a
few
partners
individually,
one
being
Wanda
green.
A
The
Buncombe
County
Manager
Wanda
was
a
provided
us
with
a
letter
support
when
we
wrote
our
green
business
fund
grant
and
her
and
her
staff
have
really
helped
us
on
to
get
this
installation
to
happen
here
on
County
property.
The
public-private
partnership
that
we
formed
with
them
is
something
that
will
help
us,
expand
this
vision
going
forward
and
really
goes
to
the
leadership
that
Wanda
and
her
staff
are
bringing
to
the
county
and
there's
a
great
example
of
that.
So
if
we
give
a
round
of
applause
for
Wanda,
understaffed.
A
I'd
also
like
to
thank
delay.
Kerr,
who
works
here
tirelessly
at
land
of
sky
and
bill,
was
also
an
individual
who,
on
behalf
of
land
of
sky,
provided
us
with
a
letter
of
support
for
this
grant,
and
it
was
been
an
incredible
incredible
support
her
through
the
whole
process.
I
feel
very
fortunate
to
have
bill
in
this
community.
Doing
the
work
he's
doing
haven't
been
doing
it
for
so
long.
I
think
I
feel
he's
an
incredible
asset,
and
this
is
just
one
example
of
what
we
can
do
when
we
have
people
like
him
in
town.
A
A
We're
really
talking
about
is
people
who
are
putting
in
sweat,
equity,
right
people
who
are
doing
the
work
and
doing
it
in
the
case
of
McGill
engineering
for
free
and
that's
huge,
because
we
were
using
public
money
to
make
this
project
happen
and
contributions
like
that
from
McGill
engineering
is
what
is
able
to
make
it
happen
and
really
able
to
stretch
that
public
dollar,
so
we
get
the
most
out
of
it.
So
thank
you
very
much.
A
And
then
I'd
also
like
to
draw
attention
to
green
opportunities,
which
is
a
nashville-based
organization.
That's
doing
an
incredible
job.
Creating
jobs
in
our
community
and
green
opportunities
was
involved
in
all
of
our
projects,
and
they
did
a
lot
of
work
on
this
one.
Helping
us
get
it
done.
Where
are
the
folks
from
green
opportunities?
They
were
here
a
moment
ago,
where.
A
Like
to
give
those
gentlemen,
a
round
of
applause,
they
each
put
real
sweat
into
this
station,
so
thank
you,
fellas
and
then
lastly,
Brian
Taylor
working
here
at
landis
chi,
who
organized
this
event,
brian.
Thank
you
very
much
doing
a
great
job
leading
the
whole
EV
momentum,
the
movement
here
in
the
community.
So
so
thank
you
for
all
that
you're
doing
as
well.
A
So
we've
got
a
whole
host
of
speakers
to
address
the
audience
today
and
I'll.
Give
you
some
concluding
remarks
at
the
end
and
we'll
have
time
for
some
questions
and
answers,
but
to
begin
way
that
I'd
like
to
introduce
you
to
David
Gant,
who
probably
needs
no
introduction,
seeing
that
he
served
our
community
since
1996
on
the
county
commissioners
and
is
now
the
chair
of
that
board
and
David
also
has
been
a
staunch
supporter
of
this
project
and
we're
forever
grateful
for
his
leadership.
C
What's
good,
we
opened
this
year
instead
of
last
year
last
year
we
might
have
had
to
kick
the
snow
away
from
it.
Quite
a
change
in
weather
and
I
think
it's
kind
of
indicative
because
we're
doing
the
right
things
here,
we're
doing
things
we
need
to
do
to
change
the
way
we
look
at
everything
we
use
energy
wise.
C
All
of
you
have
been
recognized,
are
all
part
of
that
because
we
can't
go
on
doing
things,
we've
done
for
the
last
hundred
years
and
use
all
our
fossil
fuels
if
we
do
there'll
be
nothing
left
for
our
children
and
grandchildren
and
people
that
follow
them.
So
it's
time
it's
going
to
be
jumpy,
it's
not
going
to
be
a
straight
line.
They're
going
to
be
challenges,
I
want
to
congratulate
standing
by
wills.
C
They
didn't
give
up.
A
lot
of
people
would
have
said
you
know
I'm
getting
so
much
hassle.
I
can't
do
this.
I
got
other
things
to
do,
I'm
going
to
go
with
a
point
of
least
resistance,
but
they
believed
in
their
projects,
as
their
website
says.
They're
action-oriented
problem
solving
and
an
initiative,
drive
driven
company,
and
you
don't
do
things
like
this
easily,
because
it's
different,
it's
not
the
way.
We've
done
things
for
the
last
hundred
years.
C
They
want
to
make
this
area
the
nation's
first
solar
field,
electric
travel,
electric
vehicle
travel
area;
they
want
it
to
be
a
destination
where
you
can
bring
your
electric
cars
or
you
can
rent
them
and
see
our
attractions
while
you're.
Here
this
station
is
number
two
for
that.
They're
working
on
in
the
first
phase,
the
other
stations
are
in
the
bio
wills
downtown.
Imagine
that
they
have
it
where
their
place
is
the
public
works.
C
That
I
think
the
mayor
is
so
proud
of,
and
the
mayor
rightfully
will
talk
about
I'm
sure
and
then
our
favorite
universe
to
UNC
Asheville.
These
things
can
charge
right
now.
They've
got
it
down
to
three
to
six
hours,
but
eaton
corporation
in
our
own
community
is
already
working
on
the
next
generation,
where
they're
going
to
reduce
that
time,
they're
going
to
keep
producing
it.
Just
like
we
made
our
cars
more
efficient
with
fossil
fuels,
they
will
get
this
down,
but
already
it's
here.
The
future
is
here.
This
is
a
good
way
to
go.
C
We
have
a
moral
obligation
to
do
this.
Folks,
we
have
a
moral
obligation
to
support
people
who
are
willing
to
come
out
here
and
take
away
our
dependence
or
addiction
our
obsession
with
fossil
fuels.
We
don't
have
enough.
It's
not
the
right
way
to
go
every
way.
We
can
do
it
to
change
that
solar,
electric
and
they're
doing
both.
Here
we
got
to
do
it.
We
got
to
take
advantage
of
it.
I'd
like
to
recognize
some
of
our
elected
officials
that
are
here
mayor
vault
from
Hendersonville
is
here.
We
have
mayor
Davis
from
Fletcher.
C
Here
we
have
a
mayor
Taylor
from
montreat
we're
going
to
hear
from
Mayor
Bellamy
from
Asheville.
We
also
have
the
Chamber
of
Commerce
director
get
Kramer.
She
was
here
jizz
here,
she's
hot
she's.
Moving
on
me
folks
support
it
think
about
when
you
get
your
next
car.
Let's
think
about
this.
It's
the
right
way
to
go
folks.
We
just
can't
do
businesses,
we've
always
done
it
and
I
think
Stan
and
bio
wills
get
it.
We
just
have
to
give
them
the
chance
to
do
their
thing.
It
will
work.
It
will
be
good.
C
It's
smart
pneus,
it's
smart
for
our
environment,
it's
smart
economy
and
it's
just
the
right
way
for
Americans
to
go,
because
we
try
to
do
things
right
here
and
stand
cross
and
bio
wills
you're
looking
at
it.
This
is
where
we
need
to
be
thanks
for
giving
me
a
few
minutes
thanks
everybody
for
taking
time
out
your
schedule
to
be
here.
There
I
think
mayor
Bellamy
is
next.
Is
that
right
duck
John
McKinney
is
next
I.
D
Preceding
Mirabella
me
as
well
both
of
my
great
public
speakers
and
I'm,
not,
but
my
part,
this
project
was
very
simple
and
that
was
Stan's
hop
with
Bill
acre
and
said.
We
want
to
put
a
solar
power
electric
fueling
station
in
your
parking
lot
and
I
said.
That
sounds
great.
Unfortunately,
it's
not
my
parking
lot.
It's
Buncombe
County
parking
lot,
so
my
involvement
was
picking
up
the
phone
and
calling
Wanda
green,
which
he'd
mentioned,
and
it's
easy
to
say.
Yes,
we
wanted
it's
difficult.
D
All
the
liabilities
of
the
technicalities
that
go
into
locating
is
a
lot
more
than
you
might
think,
and
Wanda
and
Greg
is
what
the
county
really
did.
A
good
job
of
supporting
this
pushing
this
through
with
support,
of
course,
of
the
county
commissioners,
but
usually
those
that
are
most
important,
a
project
of
the
ones
that
are
behind
the
scenes
that
that
want
o
to
get
recognition,
but
wanting
her
staff
again,
they
really
push
this
project
forward.
D
I
think
the
location
is
important
because
we
serve
as
a
regional
hub
for
19
of
our
local
governments
in
the
region.
We
have
a
lot
of
foot
traffic.
We
have
a
lot
of
people
who
come
to
our
building
that
to
meet
regionally
and
we
felt
like
having
it
here
was
a
good
presence
in
our
region,
and
so
bill
acres
been
mentioned
as
well.
This
is
just
one
part
of
an
overall
plan
that
land
the
sky
to
clean
vehicles,
coalition,
Clean,
Cities
and
Bill
are
promoting
to
get
where
Davis
mentioned.
D
I
reliance
on
fossil
fuels,
reducing
that
making
our
community
let's
rely
on
that
providing
jobs
and
so
forth,
and
we
felt
like
this
was
really
a
project.
I
did
want
to
mention
that
I
saw
shelly
Townley
from
representing
sealers
office.
We
had
others
from
from
other
elected
offices
that
had
to
go,
but
they've
been
very
supportive
in
our
efforts
not
only
with
this
project
but
other
ones
as
well,
and
appreciate
your
participation.
Your
interest
in
this
with
that
I'm
going
to
introduce
Marabella
me
I,
did
want
to
recognize.
D
David
mentioned
our
board
members,
but
certainly
our
entire
chair
right
now,
letter
jean
taylor
from
mantri,
who
has
been
a
big
proponent
of
this
project
and
the
media
initiative
atlanta
sky
and
also
had
the
opportunity
to
introduce
our
possibly
our
next
chair,
and
that
is
Mary
Bellamy
from
Asheville.
She
is
a
real
advocate,
I
think.
E
Good
afternoon,
everyone,
it
is
a
pleasure
to
be
here.
I'm
really
excited
about
the
opportunity
to
speak
to
you.
Just
for
a
second
I
won't
hold
us
the
program
up.
I
do
want
to
say
thank
you
so
very
much
to
bio
wheels.
This
is
exciting
that
they
have
chosen
to
make
sure
this
happened
in
the
city
of
Asheville.
It's
funny.
Last
night,
during
the
State
of
the
Union,
I
was
actually
a
council
meeting,
so
it's
not
like
I
actually
got
to
see
it.
E
Asheville
is
a
leader
in
producing
clean
energy
and
reducing
our
carbon
footprint
by
looking
at
the
types
of
modes
vehicles
and
how
that
can
be
fuel,
and
I
just
want
to
say
thank
you
to
buy
your
wheels
to
lend
the
sky
bill.
You
are
truly
a
leader
because
now
the
rest
of
the
nation
is
going
to
be
looking
at
asheville
to
say
how
are
you
doing
and
how's
your
CNG
station
working
how's,
your
electric
station
working?
How
are
your
buses,
cars,
your
fleet,
working
and
landis?
E
Guys
name
is
all
over
those
things,
but
I
just
want
to
say
thank
you
for
the
leadership
and
the
partnership.
I
think
it's
very
creative
that
we're
not
only
looking
at
reducing
the
carbon
footprint
by
having
an
electric
fueling
station,
but
having
at
the
table
the
next
generation
of
individuals
who
can
carry
on
this
work
and
take
it
to
another
level
by
Haschel.
Have
a
Nashville
go
as
apart.
Green
opportunities
is
not
only
talking
about
the
difference
that
we
need
to
make
in
our
community.
They
are
training
in
the
future.
E
Leaders
is
future
employees
and
hopefully,
employers
to
help
move
this
needle
a
little
further
in
that
community.
So
I
say
this
is
a
triple
bottom-line
effect.
There
is
a
whimper
environment,
a
win
for
our
economy
and
a
win
for
our
future.
So
I
say,
congratulations
to
us
all,
and
thank
you
all
for
your
leadership.
We
appreciate
you.
A
So,
as
I
mentioned
earlier,
all
of
this
is
possible
through
the
North
Carolina
green
business
fund,
which
is
a
super
fun
that
has
made
wonderful
things
happen
in
our
region
and
across
the
state
and
represented
Department
of
Energy's
State
Energy
Office
today
is
read
on
which
allows
me
to
read:
Conway
is
Reed
Conway
who's
come
from
Raleigh.
To
talk
to
us
today.
Read.
B
Thank
You
Stan
for
those
of
you,
my
office
is
here
in
Asheville
I'm
not
coming
out
of
raleigh.
To
talk
to
you,
I
do
energy
conservation
right
here
in
Western,
North,
Carolina
and
I'm,
proud
of
it
every
day.
Let's
talk
about
leadership.
First
off
we
have
to
go
back
and
look
at
President,
Obama
and
Congress
passing
the
2009
american
recovery
and
reinvestment
act
that
funded
the
state
of
North
Carolina
to
be
able
to
fund
not
only
this
project
but
hundreds
of
projects
within
local
governments,
our
business,
industrial,
commercial
sectors,
our
residential
markets
with
weatherization.
B
It
covered
a
broad
base
of
areas
on
energy
efficiency
throughout
the
state
of
North
Carolina.
We
also
have
to
talk
about
leadership
when
we
look
at
our
governor
perdue,
she
created
the
green
business
fund
and
it
was
through
her
recognition
of
the
recovery
money
that
we
funded.
The
green
business
fund,
the
last
two
years,
25
million
dollars
each
and
so
not
only
has
bio
wheels.
B
Rts
been
a
part
of
that
funding,
but
many
other
locations
here
in
Western
North
Carolina,
green
businesses
that
have
done
great
work,
putting
solar
putting
wind
in
locations
all
across
Western
North
Carolina,
but
most
of
all,
we
have
to
look
at
our
local
leadership.
This
is
a
public-private
partnership.
We
have
to
look
at
chairman,
Gant
and
all
the
folks
with
in
Buncombe
County.
We
have
to
look
at
marbella
me
and
her
staff.
We
have
to
look
at
dr.
ponder
at
UNCA
and
her
staff
without
these
partnerships.
B
A
Don't
know
about
the
rest
of
you,
but
I'm
glad
reads
here
at
night
in
Raleigh
indeed,
and
lastly,
at
serra
de
evans
and
sarah
day
is
currently
working
with
the
north
carolina
sustainable
energy
association,
and
she
was
also
a
real
strong
advocate
when
she
was
working
with
the
Department
of
Commerce
when
we
submitted
this
grant
really
helped
us
refine
this
project
and
get
it
to
a
place
where
it
would
not
only
be
fundable
but
also
practical
to
put
on
the
ground.
So,
ladies
and
gentleman,
sara
evans.
F
F
The
clean
energy
economy
grew
eighteen
percent
in
2001,
while
the
rest
of
the
economy
was
was
dropping
by
about
four
percent.
We
spent
have
spent
the
last
10
years,
in
particular
ensuring
that
the
incentives
are
in
place
for
clean
energy
companies.
We
secured
the
35-percent
state
tax
credit
for
clean
energy
installation.
We
helped
North
Carolina
become
the
first
state
in
the
southeast
to
adopt
the
renewable
energy
portfolio
standard,
which
requires
that
electric
utilities
incorporate
clean
energy
into
their
electric
generation
portfolio.
F
We
helped
to
get
a
twenty-five
percent
tax
credit
in
place
for
construction
and
retooling
of
renewable
energy
manufacturing
facilities.
We
establish
the
authority
for
local
governments
to
provide
energy
efficiency
financing
to
citizens
and
businesses,
and
we
helped
to
form
NC
green
power,
which
allows
electric
customers
to
purchase
clean
in
energy
credits
from
small
renewable
energy
installations
in
the
state,
and
we
are
currently
working
and
we
work
to
improve
conservation
in
government
buildings
by
passing
legislation
that
required
statewide
efficiency
measures.
F
Our
current
campaigns,
which
we
would
of
course,
love
your
support
on
and
I,
am
still
a
new
working
in
this
position.
Actually,
our
organization
has
doubled
in
size
in
the
last
year,
so
I
will
be
reaching
out
to
the
local
governments
and
the
businesses
in
this
area.
Our
campaigns
for
this
coming
year
are
on
bill
financing,
which
allows
electric
utilities
to
offer
energy
efficiency
upgrades
to
small
business
customers
with
loans
that
pay
for
those
upgrades.
F
The
energy
savings
are
then
used
to
pay
back
the
loan
so
that
the
monthly
utility
bill
is
no
higher
than
it
was
before,
and
when
the
loan
is
paid
off,
small
business
owners
bill
is
permanently
lower.
We
also
are
at
advancing
the
third
party
sales
legislation
which
would
allow
renewable
energy
generators
to
sell
directly
to
the
consumer.
Currently
that
cannot
be
done.
There
are
only
four
states
that
prohibit
third-party
sales
to
the
consumer
in.
F
F
Individuals
and
nonprofits
local
governments,
regional
partnerships
and,
of
course,
the
clean
energy
businesses.
We
host
a
dynamic
annual
clean
energy
conference
this
year,
it's
going
to
be
at
Charlotte
darn
it
next
year,
I'm
determined
to
get
it
in
Asheville,
but
we
are
going
to
have
our
reception
at
the
NASCAR
Museum,
which
we
think
is
a
great
opportunity
to
feature
bio
wheels
and
Asheville's
new
LED
street
pods
streetlight
project,
which
of
course,
is
the
first
in
the
state.
F
The
other
thing
that
I
think
is
significant
for
all
of
us,
and
especially
for
local
governments,
is
that
you
can
rest
assured
that
n
seek
voters
are
behind
you
in
supporting
clean
energy.
Last
year,
the
Fallon
poll,
which
is
a
conservative
polling
organization,
conducted
a
clean
energy
poll
and
found
that
ninety-one
percent
of
North
Carolina
voters
support
using
solar
to
meet
our
growing
energy
needs.
F
Eighty-Five
percent
want
the
legislators
to
support
new
policies
allowing
renewable
energy
companies
to
offer
electricity
savings
to
customers
and
businesses
that
informs
our
third-party
sales
campaign.
They
want
companies
to
be
able
to
offer
that
energy
directly
to
the
consumer
and
seventy-five
percent
support
changing
our
energy
policy
to
double
the
amount
of
clean
energy
that
energy
companies
can
make
available
to
consumers.
F
Increased
conventional
fuel
and
plant
costs
have
driven
up
electricity
rates
over
the
past
decade,
almost
40%
for
business
customers.
This
upward
tick
will
continue
unless
we
embrace
a
mix
of
renewable
and
energy
efficiency
solutions.
It
clean
energy
gives
consumers
affordable,
secure,
reliable
options
in
our
fast
changing
market.
If
energy,
if
fossil
fuel
energy
continues
to
climb
in
the
way
that
it
isn't
in
the
last
ten
years
by
2020,
the
cost
will
be
the
same
and
clean
energy
is
continuing
to
to
become
less
expensive.
F
Fossil
fuels
are
becoming
more
expensive,
so
there's
no
reason
not
to
embrace
clean
energy
in
Western,
North
Carolina
we're
pleased
to
be
marketing
partners
with
bio
wheels
as
they
launch
this
asheville
bright
station
and
I
want
to
thank
Stan
and
Matt
and
Patrick
for
providing
me
to
the
opportunity
to
speak
on
behalf
of
ncsa
today,
and
we
commend
the
land
of
sky,
Regional,
Council,
buncombe,
county
and
the
city
for
their
vision.
A
visionary
support
of
this
project
to
ensure
Asheville
is
the
destination
for
driving
on
sunshine.
Thanks.
A
So
I
just
have
a
couple
of
things
to
leave.
You
with
first
is
that
here
in
Western,
North,
Carolina
and
statewide
in
North
Carolina.
We
don't
have
any
raw
material
to
make
energy
from
fossil
fuels.
We
imported
all
all
of
it,
and
what
that
means
is
that
in
a
region
like
ours
here
in
Western,
North
Carolina
we're
hemorrhaging
3.3
billion
dollars
every
year
out
of
our
regional
economy,
to
pay
for
that
coal,
that
natural
gas
that
oil
that
we
need
to
come
into
our
community.
A
This
is
a
way
out
of
that
right
now,
a
small
web,
but
with
attention
to
be
a
much
greater
impact.
When
we
look
at
just
how
we
drive
with
the
oil
that
we
use
in
the
gasoline
that
we
burn
95
cents
on
every
dollar
of
gasoline
that
we
purchase
leaves
our
community
the
moment
we
purchase
it.
It's
gone
all
that
money
we
spend
to
drive
around
it
leaves
it
doesn't
stay
here.
A
We
think
it's
very
viable
and
we
think
it's
a
way
to
leverage
the
tourism
economy
to
help
get
this
infrastructure
on
the
ground
so
that
all
of
us
residents
here
in
West,
North
Carolina,
can
enjoy
owning
electric
vehicles
in
the
future
and
so
that
we
can
help
to
create
an
even
more
vibrant
economy
around
this
technology
by
linking
it
to
that
tourism
economy.
That
underpins
everything
that
we
do
here
unless
North
care
Linna.
So
thank
you
all
very
much
for
coming
out
today.
We
look
forward
to
talking
with
you.