Councilmember Cecil Bothwell introduces AMAZED at BRSI's Green Monday

Asheville, NC— City Councilmember Cecil Bothwell will address the Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute's Green Monday gathering today to lay out his proposal for a Net Zero Energy District in Asheville. The effort is called the Asheville Metro Area Zero Energy District (AMAZED).

Following the lead of Fort Collins and other cities around the world, Asheville can adopt a goal of Net Zero energy use, that is, generating as much power as we use over the course of a year. The technology is available and affordable, and I hope to provide leadership in this effort.

Since last July, Bothwell has been meeting with representatives of BRSI, the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association, Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign, EvolveEnergy, Land of Sky Regional Council, Smith Mill Creek Permaculture Institute, EarthFare, New Belgium Brewery, the Brendle Group Engineering, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, Colorado State University, Fort Collins Utilities and Progress Energy to advance the idea of a Zero Energy District. In Fort Collins, the FortZED project has become an economic driver, attracting new businesses, expanding existing businesses, and reducing utility bills for commercial and residential users throughout the city.

Incumbent Cecil Bothwell is running for re-election for another four-year term on the Asheville City Council. Bothwell is an investigative reporter, builder, organic gardener and public servant. In addition, he leads a jail
ministry affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville.

BRSI's Green Monday events are held at 4 p.m., in the Lenoir-Rhyne conference room in the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce building.

For more information about Cecil Bothwell’s campaign, visit cecilbothwell.com.