Extreme Heat

Require the use of solar power and battery storage – either on individual units or as a community installation – on new affordable housing developments to help residents reduce energy bills as extreme Create a partnership agreement with ride share programs and the bus system to pick up residents and visitors during extreme heat events and deliver them to air-conditioned facilities. Ideally, programs Increase adoption of distributed energy resources such as solar and wind by lowering financial and regulatory barriers to permitting and development. When installed with battery backup or emergency power Temporary relocation of vulnerable populations during extreme heat events (follow same model as code purple/extreme cold) Partner with community groups to proactively reach out to vulnerable people before and during extreme weather. Encourage and incentivize the use of pervious landscaped surfaces in new and existing development. Pervious, or permeable, surfaces help manage stormwater on-site and absorb less heat than impervious Include increasing temperature in the design calculation for maximum temperature /rating Create and invest in strategic pre-disaster plans for post-disaster recovery. Install pavement sensors for extreme heat and road failure. Work with agricultural organizations to help farmers identify and adjust to changes in pest management, cropping patterns, water management and other on-farm practices that may be required as precipitation Install refillable water stations at parks, trailheads, community centers and outdoor sport facilities to encourage proper hydration and protection against heat-related illnesses. Ensure that all agricultural workers have adequate protection from extreme conditions, and that healthy and safe working conditions are maintained. Require the use of Open Space Residential Design or Conservation Subdivision regulations for any residential subdivision. Develop mechanisms to alert and protect outdoor workers and vulnerable populations from extreme heat and cold. Make use of state and federal home weatherization programs for low- and medium-income households. Launch or expand a neighborhood cooling center program to areas that are most vulnerable. Establish nighttime cooling centers through partnerships with faith-based organizations. Create or expand a program that provides energy retrofits for public housing. Designate public cooling shelters for extreme heat events Set a limit on the percent of impervious surface — area covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete and rooftops — allowed on new construction and redevelopment on residential, commercial Use the State of North Carolina's recommended temperature thresholds to trigger heat response activities that support community preparedness, especially for frontline communities.