SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — As news unfolds throughout the week, Port City Daily tries to cover topics that remain top-of-mind to the community. However, small newsrooms like PCD can’t always get to everything. (Consider supporting our work here.)
Here’s a weekly roundup of headlines that are important nonetheless and should be on the public’s radar — but didn’t necessarily make it on the site as soon as the news dropped.
Electric vehicles benefit from $70K quick-charge stations downtown
The City of Wilmington is a little more charged after adding two more stations for electric vehicles to “refuel” on the first floor of the Market Street parking deck in downtown Wilmington. It fulfills part of the city’s clean energy goals for 2035 and 2050 put forth last year by the Clean Energy Advisory Committee.
READ MORE: Wilmington eyes 100% renewable energy, electric fleet by 2050
Two new ChargePoint CPE250 stations were installed earlier in the week — the first non-proprietary ones in the greater Wilmington area, according to the city. Simply put, the stations are compatible with all-electric vehicles.
According to city spokesperson Jennifer Dandron, the costs topped out over $70,000 — $36,720 each — covered under the Volkswagen Settlement Grant, administered by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. Funds cover equipment purchase, installation, networking, a five-year maintenance plan, and signage.
After five years, Dandron said the city will have a better understanding of how much the stations’ upkeep costs would be to fold into the annual budget. For now, the stations are offered for public use free of charge; whether that remains long-term is yet to be known.
“The city is currently completing a 60-90 study to determine energy usage and will use the results to determine charging fees, if any,” Dandron said. City staff would make a recommendation to council based on the findings, though Dandron iterated council would make the final decision.
Currently, there are three other charging stations downtown for electric vehicles; however, the stations charge slower than the new ones. Dandron called the time lapse significant. Whereas older stations provide a full charge overnight, the new ones can charge an electric vehicle in an hour.
More could be added to downtown if other grant monies become available. “Before we get to that point though, we’ll be studying the usage of the newly installed chargers to get an understanding of the need for future stations and potential sites,” Dandron said.
The Volkswagen Settlement Grant agreement, which funded the quick-charge stations, was made between the German automaker and the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. States had to submit how funds from the agreement would be used. North Carolina received $92 million to distribute in two phases. Around $3.45 million from phase one was dedicated to the DC Fast Charge Program, providing 72 chargers across the state in an effort to improve emissions and provide better infrastructure for electric vehicle use.
“As Wilmington emerges as a leader in clean energy and sustainability and as we work towards our climate action goals, we need to ready our City facilities to provide our fleet as well as the public with opportunities to charge electric vehicles,” sustainability manager David Ingram said in a press release. “Providing these DC-Fast EV charging stations will allow our residents and visitors to join us in improving our air quality and reducing emissions.” — Shea Carver
The Bailey project moves forward
Following approval from the Historic Preservation Commission in November, a reconstruction project to bring life back to the historic theater façade in downtown Wilmington is moving forward.
Site plans were submitted to the City of Wilmington this week for The Bailey at 20 North Front St., once the site of the Art Moderne movie house from 1942 to the mid-1980s. The technical review committee will review the plans to ensure they meet requirements and regulations.
READ MORE: Historic preservation commission OKs new design for downtown Wilmington’s Bailey Theater
The proposed one-story building will span close to 4,000 square feet, with access to a rooftop. Plans include preserving the existing mosaic tile and incorporating the theater façade into the new design, likely repainting it from pink and blue to gray. It’s possible the first tenant could be a restaurant.
Stamatia Saffo, Mayor Bill Saffo’s brother, has owned the property since at least 2017, when it was sold for $285,000 to his LLC Global Properties Holdings, according to property records.
The remnants of the theater have been at risk of destruction for years as it’s decayed and presented a safety concern. In March 2017 the preservation committee denied a request to reduce a year wait prior to a proposed demolition. Last fall, when the Wilmington Historic Preservation Commission granted its approval to transform the landmark, members indicated they were glad no one ever followed through with razing the property. — Alexandria Sands Williams
Wind farm developer can bid for N.C. coast
Offshore wind turbines are becoming a closer reality off the coast of southeastern North Carolina.
This May wind farm developers will have a chance to bid on constructing turbines near Brunswick County, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced Friday. Two leases are up for grabs in an approaching wind energy auction.
“Having two lease areas means more economic benefit for the state through additional competition, development flexibility, and multiple players in the space,” said Karly Lohan, communication and outreach associate at Southeastern Wind Coalition. “Additional lease provisions will drive incentives for localized supply chain and workforce development, allowing North Carolina the ability to take advantage of the $100B at our doorstep.”
If developed, the wind farms could produce enough energy to power nearly half a million homes, at least 1.3 gigawatts, according to BOEM. The leases will cover 110,091 acres, which is 14% less than what was proposed prior to BOEM accepting and reviewing public comments. The farms would stand approximately 17.9 nautical miles from Bald Head Island. According to a release, the reduced footprint will lessen the risk of environmental issues and interruptions with other ocean users.
President Joe Biden set the first national goal for offshore wind energy at 30 gigawatts by 2030, with a job creation goal of 80,000. Gov. Roy Cooper is aiming for 2.8 gigawatts off the North Carolina coast by 2030 and 8.0 gigawatts by 2040.
“This is an historic time for domestic offshore wind energy development,” Deb Haaland, U.S. interior secretary, said in a release. “We will continue using every tool in our toolbox to tackle the climate crisis, reduce our emissions to reach the President’s bold goals, and advance environmental justice.”
Congressman David Rouzer also celebrated the upcoming sale in a press release Friday.
“[T]oday’s announcement will ensure North Carolina becomes the natural leader in offshore wind energy it is poised to be,” Rouzer stated. “It will also help provide an economic shot in the arm for many communities that desperately need it.”
Locally, coastal communities have voiced strong opposition to the turbines being erected within 24 nautical miles of the shoreline. Brunswick County and several of its municipalities passed resolutions opposing the efforts, deeming it a potential detriment to the tourism industry and ocean views. — Alexandria Sands Williams
RELATED: Prospect of visible ocean wind farms unites Brunswick towns in opposition
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