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| Technical Assistance, Incentives, and Funding Opportunities: Upcoming Events and Activities:
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| State of Tennessee Now in Compliance with Federal Air Quality Standards The entire state of Tennessee is now in compliance with federal air quality health standards for particle pollution, also known as particulate matter or PM2.5. On August 29, the U.S. EPA finalized its official redesignation of all of Anderson, Knox, Blount and Loudon counties and the remaining part of Roane County as in “attainment,” which means that the areas now meet federal particle pollution standards. These areas were the last remaining areas in Tennessee to achieve the designation. Click here to learn more.
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| TDEC Awards $1.9 Million to 24 Communities for Clean Energy Projects
On August 14, Governor Bill Haslam and TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau announced that $1.9 million has been awarded to 24 communities for clean energy projects, including 11 distressed counties. The Clean Tennessee Energy Grant (CTEG) program provides financial assistance to municipal governments, county governments, utility districts and other entities created by statute. Awarded projects have demonstrated a plan to reduce air emissions, improve energy efficiency and create cost savings. Projects specifically focus on: - Cleaner alternative energy – biomass, geothermal, solar, wind; and
- Energy conservation – lighting, HVAC improvements, improved fuel efficiency, insulation, idling minimization.
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| UTK Ranked Top in Green Power Partnership The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) has made its way to the top of the “Green Power Partnership Top 30 College & University” list. This list recognizes the largest green power users among higher education institutions within the Green Power Partnership, an EPA program launched in 2001 to increase the use of renewable electricity in the U.S. The combined green power use of these higher education organizations amounts to nearly 2.9 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) every year. That number is equivalent to the annual electricity use of nearly 266,000 average American homes. To learn more about the Green Power Partnership and UTK green power initiatives, click here.
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| TVA Begins Generating Solar Enegy at its Allen Natural Gas Plant On August 31, TVA began generating approximately 1MW of solar energy at its newly built midscale solar array in Memphis, located inside the Allen Natural Gas Plant project site. The array is comprised of 3,116 panels, with each generating up to 320 watts. In total, the array generates enough renewable energy to power about 120 homes. The Allen installation is TVA’s first foray into sizable, self-constructed solar. Before this, TVA had mostly purchased solar power from third parties (totaling about 400 MWs) or had constructed only small demonstration installations. Watch a time-lapse video of the solar installation and learn more about the project by clicking here.
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| How TVA Kept the Lights On During the Total Solar Eclipse
The August 21, 2017 intercoastal solar eclipse was predicted to wipe out 9,000 MW of power supply across the nation—the equivalent of about nine nuclear reactors. To prepare for this loss in solar power, TVA depended on its balanced generating portfolio, which provides flexibility and value to consumers because they can easily switch between generating sources to keep lights on and costs low. Click here to learn more about how TVA prepared for and responded to the eclipse.
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| Silicon Ranch Corporation Named Nashville Business Journal's "Small Business of the Year"
Nashville-based Silicon Ranch Corporation develops, owns, and operates solar energy plants in the U.S. Last month, the Nashville Business Journal awarded Silicon Ranch the title of overall Small Business of the Year award. For more information, click here.
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| Memphis Mayor Joins Growing List of U.S. cities in Mayors National Climate Action Agenda
Memphis Mayor Strickland recently joined the Climate Mayors (aka, Mayors National Climate Action Agenda, or MNCAA), a network of 369 U.S. mayors representing 67.5 million Americans working together to strengthen local efforts for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting efforts for binding federal and global-level policy making. The mayor's action underscores steps that the city is already taking to foster a sustainable, resilient community. As part of Memphis' commitment to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, the city has completed a community-wide greenhouse gas inventory and will soon set near- and long-term targets to reduce emissions. The city will identify strategies and actions to achieve these targets through a climate action planning process which will kick off early next year. Additional sustainability efforts that city government is leading or supporting include: - Energy efficiency improvements to city facilities
- A Weatherization Assistance Program
- Expansion of MLGW's energy efficiency programs for low-income
- Healthy Homes Partnership and Green and Healthy Homes
- Sustainability-related ratings and recognition
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| Haywood County Commissioners Approve Energy Project to Add LEDs to County Buildings Haywood County commissioners have approved an energy efficiency project to upgrade four county buildings with the installation of eco-friendly LED lights. The lights will be placed throughout the courthouse, the justice complex, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Scott Street Center. For more information, click here.
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| TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, INCENTIVES, AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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| Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation Releases RFP Related to Innovative Composite Manufacturing
The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) has released its RFP v. 3.0 with a focus on innovative composite manufacturing approaches that lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions as well as address the life cycle energy efficiency target fiber reinforced polymer composite applications in vehicles, compressed gas storage, and wind turbines. RFP v. 3.0 and the processes described within are effective as of August 1. There is no deadline for proposals listed within the RFP. Visit the IACMI website to learn more.
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| Pre-applications Open for Second Cohort of Innovation Crossroads Program
Innovation Crossroads matches aspiring early stage energy researchers with the experts, mentors, and networks in technology-related fields to take their world-changing ideas from R&D to commercial applications. The first cohort of entrepreneurs was announced earlier this year. The program at ORNL, in partnership with the U.S. DOE, is providing a runway for innovators who will disrupt the energy economy.
Through an annual call, up to five entrepreneurs will be selected to work at Oak Ridge National Lab and transform their ideas and bring new ideas to the lab with financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
Innovators will receive a fellowship that covers living costs, benefits and a travel stipend for up to two years, plus substantial financial support for collaborative research and development at ORNL. Each innovator will also be paired with a doctoral student from the University of Tennessee’s Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education for assistance with market research and customer discovery.
To pre-apply for the second Innovation Crossroads cohort, click here. The official application will open September 19.
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| TDEC Offering $4.5 Million in Recycling and Waste Reduction Grants
TDEC is now accepting applications for recycling and waste reduction grants totaling $4,500,000. Grant funding can be used toward purchasing recycling equipment, recycling rebates, the management of used oil/automotive fluids, convenience centers, education and outreach, and recycling measurement. All grants will support local governments’ efforts toward achieving their waste reduction and recycling goals. The application process is open until October 2. For more information and to apply, click here.
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| Opportunities for Graduates in Clean Energy
U.S. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and various other organizations and institutions offer fellowships across the country for students and faculty alike to engage in clean energy-related research, internships, and/or career-building opportunities. To find out more about these opportunities, click here or here.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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| Webinar: Energy Efficiency in K-12 Classrooms
More than 50 million students and faculty occupy our nation's nearly 130,000 school buildings for 1,000 hours and 200 school days every year. According to recent data, annual K-12 school utility expenditures top $10 billion. What are school districts doing to manage energy costs, maintain healthy learning environments, and meet STEM academic requirements? Join U.S. DOE’s Better Buildings Challenge webinar series as they discuss how energy efficiency can redirect some of those utility expenditures back into the classrooms where our students spend a significant amount of their young lives. Speakers will include Crystal McDonald (DOE), Anisa Heming (USGBC), and Sharon Jaye (Green Schools Alliance). Register for this event (September 12, 2:00-3:00 pm Central) to attend.
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| TDEC Webinar: Materials Management
On September 13 at 1 pm Central, TDEC’s Office of Sustainable Practices will host a webinar on materials management. Specifically, Vaughn Cassidy with TDEC OSP and Kahley Malloy with Complete Recycling, LLC will touch on source reduction, the Tennessee Materials Market Exchange Network, and advice on choosing a recycling vendor. For more information and to register for the webinar, click here.
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| Energy Management Workshop Series for Community Water Systems in Tennessee
The Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN) is currently seeking community water systems interested in participating in a no-cost Energy Management Workshop Series in Tennessee focused on using energy management practices to cut costs at your water system. Participants will receive one-on-one assistance on improving energy management. Assistance with rate setting and financial management will also be available to participating systems. The series is designed for water systems that serve 10,000 people or fewer. Multiple attendees from each water system are encouraged to attend, including elected officials. The workshops will take place during the week of August 21, the week of September 18, and the week of October 23. For more information and to register, click here.
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| Join the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) for a lunch and learn on September 19 at 11:30 AM Eastern in Knoxville. The lunch will feature speaker Jetta Wong, a Senior Advisor to the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator with over 14 years of experience developing programs and policies that support energy and environment technologies. Prior to joining LACI, Jetta Wong established the Office of Technology Transitions for U.S. DOE and served as its first Director. In that capacity, she assisted the private sector, state and local governments, universities, laboratories, and other stakeholders and engaged with the Department on the commercialization of new technology. RSVP to attend the event.
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| Southeast Energy and Environmental Leadership Forum
The Southeast Energy and Environmental Leadership Forum will take place on September 20 in Durham, SC. Hosted by Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, this gathering of state officials with oversight of energy, economic, and environmental policies will focus on two topics of importance to officials in the region: the future of nuclear energy and opportunities and challenges associated with the electrification of transportation. To register for the event, click here. View the agenda here. Contact Sarah Adair with content questions or Amanda Shipp with logistics questions.
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| Environmental Markets Association 2017 Annual Meeting
Join the Environmental Markets Association and its growing network of professionals involved in the trading, legislation, and regulation of environmental markets for two days of dialogue and networking in Nashville. This dynamic event includes several networking events, multiple networking breaks, and sessions designed for open communication and collaboration. The event runs September 27-29. See the agenda and register for the event at the EMA 2017 Annual Meeting website.
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| 2nd Annual Energy Efficiency Day
Energy Efficiency Day, which is celebrated on October 5, is a collaborative effort of regional and national organizations that promote energy efficiency. More than 175 government agencies, companies, utilities, cities, and other organizations were official supporters in 2016. This year, Energy Efficiency Day has amplified its efforts with a website, a Facebook account, official declarations, and a challenge to save energy in homes and businesses. Here are four ways you and your organization can spread the word about the benefits of energy efficiency:
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| 2017 SEEA & AESP Southeast Conference
The 2017 Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance & Association of Energy Service Professionals’ Southeast Conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia from October 16-18. With the recent emergence of beneficial electrification, this year’s conference will explore opportunities to optimize energy use in the Southeast by way of efficiency, demand response, the smart grid, renewables, storage, electric vehicles and more. To view the full agenda and to register, click here.
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| Ultra-low Energy Retrofits Show Promising Growth Across U.S. In a new white paper, titled “Unlocking Ultra-Low Energy Performance in Existing Buildings,” the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) explores retrofit progress in ultra-low energy (ULE) buildings, which includes zero-energy homes and commercial buildings. The paper highlights initiatives and policies that are laying the groundwork for advanced retrofits that yield deeper energy savings. Click here to read the report.
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| Resources on Energy Efficiency for Low- and Moderate-Income Households
A Lawrence Berkeley National Lab report released by the State and Local Energy Efficiency (SEE) Action Network explores the challenges and potential solutions for ramping up adoption of energy efficiency by low- and moderate-income households. Many decision-makers across the country are exploring financing as a tool to help address some of these barriers and support multiple policy goals, such as equitable access to efficiency services, more affordable energy bills, meeting energy needs with least-cost resources, job creation, and improved public health. The report can be downloaded here. In the Southeast specifically, residents currently face historically high poverty rates, and low-income households spend an average of three times as much on monthly energy bills than other families. Energy efficiency investments could help lower energy bills, but low-income residents in the region often lack access to energy-saving upgrades. ACEEE used data from the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance to build factsheets on current utility low-income energy efficient efforts and provide strategies that states can use to scale up resources for these populations. Download the factsheets here and here.
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| Webinar: Energy Efficiency Potential for States
A new report shows that 740,985 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of cost-effective, electric energy efficiency potential is available nationwide from 2016 to 2035—equal to about 16% of energy projected to be consumed in the United States! In a webinar from July 13, 2017, six speakers from U.S. DOE presented highlights from a set of new energy efficiency potential studies and maps, as well as related resources that can help states take the next steps to access their energy efficiency potential. View a transcript of the webinar and its presentation slides here.
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| Portfolio Manager now Tracks Electric Demand
Energy STAR’s Portfolio Manager is an online tool that you can use to measure and track energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. The tool is especially helpful for benchmarking the performance of one building or a whole portfolio of buildings, all within a secure online environment. As a new upgrade to its suite of solutions, Portfolio Manager now allows users to track electric demand with four new metrics: kW Annual Maximum Demand, Month/Year Annual Maximum Demand, Meter ID Annual Maximum Demand, and Annual Demand Cost. Click here to learn more.
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| New and Improved Self-Scoring Tool can Help Cities Reduce their Energy Use and Carbon Emissions
Energy efficiency can be a significant component to a city’s plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is a cost-effective GHG reduction strategy, saving cities money while creating healthier communities. ACEE’s updated Local Energy Efficiency Self-Scoring Tool provides cities of every size a resource to help them develop policy roadmaps to increase energy efficiency and reduce GHGs in the process.
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