The Center for Energy Education, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, is working to improve economic impacts and increase community resiliency through its Energy Saver NC outreach, with the goal of providing a path to cleaner communities and brighter futures.

Executive Director Mozine Lowe was invited by Governor Josh Stein to speak at a recent press conference in Raleigh to share details of C4EE’s commitment toward lowering electricity bills and strengthening families across the state. 

Stein recognized Lowe and C4EE for its community engagement within Halifax County to enroll income-eligible residents into the DEQ-sponsored Energy Saver NC rebate program.

With DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson, Lowe highlighted the organization’s outreach efforts to underscore the tangible benefits of the energy savings program. The Energy Saver NC initiative helps income-eligible homeowners and renters across the state cover the cost of energy efficiency and electrification upgrades.

“Energy Saver NC allows everyday people to see clean energy technology in their homes and save money on energy expenses,” said Lowe. “It connects the dots, so they experience the benefits of clean energy firsthand.”

Halifax County served as one of the two January 2025 program launch sites in the state, Lowe noted, so residents of rural northeastern NC are feeling the positive impacts of lower energy bills, weatherization in homes and improved health effects from new, more energy-efficient appliances and HVAC systems. Now available to residents in all 100 counties, Energy Saver NC also reduces pollution and carbon emissions, strengthens grid reliability and supports more than 2,000 jobs.

C4EE has also helped boost workforce opportunities by navigating processes for local contractors to join efforts to perform energy audits or complete HVAC installations, ensuring safer and more comfortable homes.

“Energy Saver NC has impacted 31 households in Halifax County – 56 Energy Saver NC rebates have been redeemed,” Lowe added. “Our DEQ partners have shared that these households are reaping 76,896 kWh in energy savings, that’s approximately $945 per household!”

The state program helps income-eligible households save up to $1000 in utility bills each year through rebates for home efficiency upgrades and high-efficiency appliances, an extension of C4EE’s mission to demonstrate excellence in renewable energy and create economic growth, said Lowe. She said more than 800 residents in the area have walked through C4EE’s door to ask about Energy Saver NC.

C4EE has extended its outreach to neighboring Northampton and Warren counties as well as to Washington, Martin, Tyrrell and Hyde counties.

“Our team goes out into the community – presenting to community leaders at commissioner meetings, sharing program details in our churches, hosting a range of educational events – to inform and support our residents as they apply and receive rebates from this program,” she said. “C4EE helped enroll in Halifax County 516 submitted applications; 319 of those applications have been approved which means it’s time to schedule a contractor.”