NCDEQ launches $5 million microgrid program to strengthen disaster response in WNC

State leaders are rolling out a new network of mobile and permanent microgrids across western North Carolina, aiming to help communities recover more quickly from future natural disasters. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) is investing $5 million in the project, which includes solar-powered trailers known as "Power Bees," "Cooler Bees" and "Water Bees." The units can provide electricity, refrigeration and clean drinking water when traditional infrastructure is unavailable. NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said the devastation caused by Helene highlighted the need for stronger disaster resilience in the mountains. “We really do need to focus on resilience here in the mountains, because the devastation is so much worse," Wilson said. The project is part of a broader effort announced by the department to improve emergency preparedness in communities impacted by severe weather. Among the first partners to receive the equipment is MANNA FoodBank, which lost its warehouse, food supplies and cooling equipment during the storm. “Having these units here gives our neighbors a little bit more choice in fresh produce. So fresh produce, dairy, meat, eggs, all the things that families are really looking forward to," said Kelcey Brown Meacham, a facilities technician with MANNA. After Helene, MANNA relied on diesel-powered refrigeration trailers to preserve food supplies. Brown Meacham said the new units would have eased some of the challenges the organization faced during recovery. “If we had had something like this at the time, it would have cut down on cost, it would have cut down on some of our operational stress a little bit because they're a little bit easier to maneuver around in and control the temperatures," Brown Meacham said. State officials said the investment is intended to support both immediate disaster response and long-term community recovery. Twenty-four permanent microgrids will be installed in six western North Carolina counties that were heavily impacted by Helene, including Avery, Buncombe, Rutherford, Madison, Yancey and Mitchell counties. “The idea here is that whenever that next bad storm comes through, or drought, or wildfire, whatever it is, that there will be these microgrids there where people can come and connect and find out what's going on, power up their devices, get water, communicate with others," Wilson said. The first mobile microgrids have been completed, and permanent installations are expected to roll out over the coming months. Wilson said the goal is to help improve response times after disasters. “It's also about helping communities, immediately after the storm get back on their feet quicker and that was really hard to do in Helene, because of a total lack of power, and lack of communications," he said. #disaster #recovery #disasterresponse MORE: https://wlos.com/news/local/north-car... _______________ Follow WLOS on social media: WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook:   / news13   WLOS ABC 13 News on X: https://x.com/WLOS_13 WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram:   / wlos_13   Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABC13Cha... For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit www.wlos.com Stream our newscasts LIVE: www.wlos.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340 -- WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954. This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at [email protected]