Experts on North Carolina's potential for wind energy, shale gas and other emerging energy sources will speak today and Wednesday at the state's annual sustainable energy conference in Raleigh.

The confab, being held at the McKimmon Center on the campus of N.C. State University, spans two days of speakers and panels on smart grids, plug-in electric cars, experimental fuels and the green economy workforce.

Speakers will include David Shindle of Iberdrola Renewables, a Spanish wind developer that's proposing a 300-megawatt wind farm in Eastern North Carolina.

The state government saved taxpayers $55.3 million in energy costs last year but failed to meet the state's energy efficiency goal as set out by the General Assembly.

North Carolina's Utility Savings Initiative was started in 2003 to reduce energy costs at state government agencies and universities.

The program's goal is to reduce energy costs by 20 percent in 2010 and by 30 percent in 2015.

According to information issued today by the N.C. State Energy Office, the agency that administers the program, North Carolina has achieved a 12 percent savings so far.

State energy officials said today they have scrounged up another $1 million for rebates to residents who buy energy-efficient appliances.

The N.C. State Energy Office is making the money available to people who buy appliances with the federal Energy Star efficiency rating.

The rebates range from $75 for freezers and dishwashers to $300 for gas furnaces and air conditioners.

The N.C. State Energy Office is distributing about $2.5 million in federal stimulus funds to support projects that reduce gasoline use, emissions and energy waste.

But applicants have only about a month to apply. Proposals must be submitted by Aug. 27.

The State Energy Office will be making awards between $100,000 and $500,000 to city governments, county governments, public school systems and community colleges. Businesses and nonprofits are not eligible for this round of grants.

Projects can include, but aren't limited to, LED street lighting, biofuel pumps, truck stop electrification, plug-in hybrid vehicles and recharging stations.

The money will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The State Energy Office this morning announced more than 400 internships and other paid positions for students and recent graduates, to be financed by $5.6 million in federal stimulus funds.

The slots, focusing on green energy and conservation, will largely be distributed throughout the Triangle. In all, the new federally-funded positions will be offered by 23 businesses, government agencies, universities and nonprofits.

Locally, many of the positions will be offered by Duke University, N.C. State University and UNC Chapel Hill.

But some will be offered by the Raleigh and Wake County governments, as well as by two nonprofits: Clean Energy Durham and Environmental Defense Fund.

To see the complete list, go here:

Documents:

All the rebate money is gone.

The N.C. State Energy Office reports that as of this afternoon, 100 percent percent of the money has been claimed by residents who have bought energy-efficient appliances.

However, the State Energy Office is urging residents to continue reserving their rebates. The reason: As much as 20 percent of the rebate money -- or about $270,000 -- may go unclaimed, based on experience in other states. 

Most of the $1.3 million set aside for Energy Star appliance rebates has been used up this week.

The State Energy Office reports that as of this afternoon, 86 percent of the money has been claimed by residents who have bought energy-efficient appliances.

Only $183,425 remains in rebate money provided to the state through the federal stimulus package.

The rebates range from $75 for to $300, depending on the appliance. We previously reported details of the program here.

Two-thirds of the rebate money available for energy-efficient appliances has been claimed since yesterday morning.

The State Energy Office says that as of 5 p.m., 66 percent of the money -- about $850,000 -- has been claimed by residents seeking to save on Energy Star-rated central AC units, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezes, natural gas furnaces, water heaters and other items.

The offer began Tuesday and will last until the money runs out. Rebates range from $75 to $300, depending on appliance or equipment. Qualifying purchases must be reserved online or by calling 1-877-379-7323. Purchases made before Tuesday will not count.

A fourth of the $1 million-plus the state had set aside for Energy Star-rated appliance rebates has already been snapped up this morning by residents seeking to save money on energy-efficient appliances.

The State Energy Office reports on its web site that 25 percent of the rebate money has been claimed for buying energy-effcient central AC units, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezes, natural gas furnaces, water heaters and other items.

The offer began this morning and will last until the money runs out. Rebates range from $75 to $300, depending on appliance or equipment. Qualifying purchases must be made today or this month and reserved online or by calling 1-877-379-7323. Purchases made before today will not count.

North Carolina plans to create more than 200 internships and fellowships for students and recent grads with $2 million in federal stimulus funds. The programs must promote green-energy careers in energy efficiency, renewable resources and conservation.

The State Energy Office today said its seeking applications from organizations interested in offering the internships. The state would provide between $30,000 and $500,000 to the groups that create the internships, including nonprofits, public and private educational institutions, and state and local government agencies.

For the organizations, it's an opportunity to get some quality labor at a cheap price. For the student interns and fellows, it's an opportunity to gain work experience that could lead to job offers.