Dear Orange County Commissioners,

As climate change fuels frequent and severe environmental disasters that directly impact our community, there is a lack of leadership on the climate crisis at the state and federal levels. It is up to us to take action to transition rapidly to renewable energy and to prepare for climate disasters. Our community is already facing the impacts of the climate crisis. For example, the heatwaves we have experienced and the flooding from Tropical Depression Chantal that has displaced residents of Orange County.

Orange County’s Climate Action Plan recognizes that we have a moral imperative to take urgent action in response to the climate crisis, and it sets important climate goals. These goals include achieving net zero carbon emissions and 100% renewable electricity by 2050. More immediately, the plan calls for an increase in community-wide solar by 25% from 2023 to 2035.

To meet and exceed our prior climate commitments in a manner that is just and centers the needs of our community, we urge you to issue a solar bond referendum. The bond would authorize Orange County to borrow money to fund the installation of solar panels to power public buildings wherever possible, such as schools, libraries, EMS stations, and county government buildings. This would offset electricity operating costs; the money saved from this effort, after paying off the bond, should be allocated to improving public services and increasing pay for public service workers.

For example, the newly built Drakeford Library Complex in Carrboro will have a 75-kW system with 155 rooftop solar panels. A solar bond would make it possible for the county to complete the large-scale solar projects we need to meaningfully address the climate crisis and save the County millions of dollars in energy costs.

A solar bond referendum will help to prioritize the transition away from fueling the ongoing climate crisis towards a cleaner and more cost effective future. The residents of Orange County deserve to be heard in this important decision, just as we deserve clean air, clean water, and affordable electricity.

We don't want empty promises, we want a solar bond on the ballot.

Signed, Residents of Orange County