Governor Lee Signs Executive Order to Advance Nuclear Energy and Launch Nuclear Energy Advisory Council |
Governor Lee signed Executive Order 101, creating the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council, to continue nuclear innovation and drive continued investment in nuclear energy in the state. The Advisory Council will consist of 15 members, including members of the Lee administration, the Tennessee General Assembly, Tennessee’s Congressional Delegation, and key nuclear industry stakeholders.
Recommendations by the Council will include:
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Legislative, policy, and budgetary changes to address regulatory, workforce, or education barriers that exist to the creation and expansion of nuclear energy facilities
- Funding opportunities for state government, local governments, and the private sector
- Storage and waste practices that conserve Tennessee’s natural resources
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Actions that Tennessee should pursue with federal partners and agencies.
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| TCCI’s 2023 Environment and Energy Awards Nominations Now Open |
The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (TCCI) 2023 Environment and Energy Awards recognize both businesses that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in environmental protection and enhancement as well as proactive and innovative energy projects. Awards will be given to companies in the categories of air quality, water quality, and solid and hazardous waste management. Additionally, an Environmental Excellence Award will be given to the nominee who demonstrates the best overall effort in environmental innovation or improvement, and an Energy Excellence Award will be given to a nominee that has implemented a significant energy innovation or improvement.
Only organizations with combinations of air, water, solid waste and/or hazardous waste permits are eligible. Additional information is available on the nomination form, which should be submitted by July 9. Awards will be presented alongside the Recycler of the Year Awards at the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry/ Tennessee Recycling Coalition Environment and Recycling Conference on August 25.
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Tennessee Firm Awarded a $192 Million Contract from U.S. DOE to Support Clean Energy |
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| IRS Releases Guidance on Domestic Content Bonus for Clean Energy Tax Credits
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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released guidance that details information about the domestic content bonus under the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for clean energy projects and facilities that meet manufacturing and sourcing requirements. Under the PTC, facilities that meet domestic content requirements receive a 10% bonus; under the ITC, projects that meet the domestic content requirement receive up to a 10-percentage point bonus. Additional information is available in U.S. Treasury Department's Press Release.
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TVA Plans to Double Solar Capacity |
TVA announced it expects to begin awarding bids for up to 6,000 MW of solar energy and energy storage in the near future. The approximately 40 solar projects could start coming online as early as 2026. TVA’s overall goal is to add 10,000 MW of solar by 2035. Additional information on TVA’s solar goals can be found in its 2022 Sustainability Report.
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TVA Accepting Comments Toward an Updated Integrated Resource Plan and Corresponding Environmental Impact Statement |
TVA is accepting public input on the agency’s next Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and the potential environmental impacts of that plan. An IRP guides the utility on how to best meet expected energy demand in the coming decades. The comprehensive study includes descriptions of resource needs, policy goals, physical and operational constraints, risks, and proposed resource choices. The current IRP was completed in 2019, and the next IRP is expected to be completed in 2024.
As part of the IRP decision-making process and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, TVA will analyze potential environmental impacts associated with the next IRP by preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). TVA will use the EIS process to elicit and prioritize the values and concerns of stakeholders; identify issues, trends, events, and tradeoffs affecting TVA’s policies; formulate, evaluate, and compare alternative portfolios of energy resource options; provide opportunities for public review and comment; and ensure that TVA’s evaluation of alternative energy resource strategies reflects a full range of stakeholder input. The official Notice of Intent was published in the Federal Register.
TVA will host a virtual public meeting on June 7 from 12:00 – 1:30 PM Eastern to discuss the plan. Comments must be submitted by July 3. All comments received, including names and addresses, will be considered part of the official record and will be made available to the public.
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U.S. DOE Requests Reviewers for Joint Office Federal Funding Applications |
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) is in search of subject matter experts to review federal funding applications for the Joint Office’s Ride and Drive Electric funding opportunity announcement.
Reviewers should have knowledge and expertise in, but not limited to, the following areas:
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- Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure resiliency planning
- EV workforce development
- Testing and certification standards for EV chargers
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion in transportation
- Safety, codes, and standards regarding EV charging and related infrastructure.
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Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Competitive Program
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U.S. DOE recently announced funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Competitive Program. The EECBG Competitive Program will award $8.8 million in funding to cities, counties, towns, municipalities, and state-recognized tribes or teams of these communities, that are not eligible for the EECBG Program Formula grant.
EECBG Competitive Program recipients can use the funding for a variety of projects that lower energy costs, create clean energy jobs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce overall energy use. U.S. DOE will prioritize projects resulting in significant energy efficiency improvements and meaningful impacts on local economies. Example projects include investments in distributed energy technologies, cross-municipal weatherization-based workforce development programs, or the establishment of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Applicants are encouraged to apply in teams to maximize the impact of program funding.
Concept papers are due June 5, and full applications are due August 7.
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Microbattery Design Prize |
U.S. DOE announced the launch of the Microbattery Design Prize. This two-stage competition will award up to $1.1 million in federal funding and performance and safety testing services with DOE National Laboratories to innovative small-capacity battery design projects that will yield improved performance, safety, and recyclability.
The purpose of this design prize is to advance innovative new designs for microbatteries and accelerate their commercialization and integration into existing technologies needed for clean energy manufacturing, like sensor systems for improved smart manufacturing processes and sensors for grid monitoring of renewable energy sources as the nation continues its transition to clean energy future.
The announcement marks the opening of the first of two phases in the Microbattery Design Prize.
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Phase 1 - Idea: The first phase will select the best ideas for a new microbattery design. During Phase 1, competitors will develop and submit technical designs and schematics for microbatteries that serve a specific application (like a grid monitoring devices) and meet certain performance goals (like a specific storage capacity, cycle lifetime, safety, or recyclability) that go beyond what is commercially available today.
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Phase 2 - Test: During this second phase, competitors will create prototypes to submit to DOE national labs for performance and safety testing. Competitors will also work to determine the potential cost to manufacture their designs at scale. By the end of this contest, participants will develop a realistic plan to commercialize and manufacture their technology. Note: Only selectees from Phase I will be eligible for participation in Phase II.
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Applications for Phase 1 are due June 29. U.S. DOE anticipates making up to six awards in Phase 1, each consisting of a $75,000 cash prize and performance and safety testing services with DOE National Laboratories.
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Renew America’s Nonprofits |
U.S. DOE announced $45 million to improve energy efficiency for nonprofit buildings through the Renew America’s Nonprofits funding opportunity. The program, referred to in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as the Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot Program, will lower utility costs at buildings owned and operated by 501(c)(3) nonprofits. U.S. DOE will award 5-14 larger grants to nonprofits interested in serving as Prime recipients, using an aggregation mode. Prime recipients will assemble portfolios of energy-efficiency projects in nonprofit facilities and provide technical and project management assistance.
All entities interested in participating in the Renew America’s Nonprofits grant are encouraged to join the Teaming List, indicate one or more prospective roles, and connect with other organizations. To view the current Teaming List and learn more about the three pathways for participating in the Renew America’s Nonprofits grant, visit the Renew America’s Nonprofits website.
The U.S. DOE State and Community Energy Programs Office will host two information webinars:
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| Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) |
REAP provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to improve energy efficiency. Through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, REAP has increased its grant size to $500,000 for energy efficiency projects and $1 million for renewable energy systems. The current application window closes June 30.
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TVA Connected Communities Pilot Projects Funding Opportunity |
TVA announced $2 million in new funding for Connected Communities pilot projects to improve the quality of life and equity for communities in its service area through innovative community-driven solutions. This pilot project funding is intended to help communities gain expertise and test approaches to jump-start their progress toward improving access to digital services, creating a healthy natural and built environment, scaling economic opportunities, and better preparing for natural disasters and cyber threats.
For this funding opportunity, TVA is seeking projects demonstrating an emerging technology or a new intervention approach to connect communities to resources that will directly and measurably have a positive outcome in two or more of the following areas:
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- Equitable access to services such as broadband and digital literacy,
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Equitable access to innovative, sustainable, connected technologies,
- Energy burden or energy poverty,
- Access to quality Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education,
- Environmental health, including indoor environmental health/justice,
- Enhanced resiliency for vulnerable populations, or
- Access to better employment, career, or entrepreneurial opportunities.
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Prior pilot projects addressed these topics through activities such as monitoring indoor environmental health, offering coding training programs, installing broadband hotspots, providing digital literacy education, installing solar and battery storage, and offering educational resources. You can learn more about current pilot projects on the TVA Connected Communities website.
The call for pilots is open through June 30, with project selection announcements expected in late September. TVA is interested in providing awards of up to a maximum of $750,000 per project and anticipates awarding approximately four to eight projects. All projects must take place within the TVA service territory and be completed within two years of project kickoff. For more information and to access the application form when the Call for Pilots opens, visit tva.com/ConnectedCommunities or contact ConnectedCommunities@tva.gov.
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Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program |
U.S. DOE announced $50 million in new grant funding made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for community-based energy projects in rural and remote areas under the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program. Designed to recognize and address the distinct energy challenges faced by rural communities, this funding aims to increase energy affordability and promote climate resilience in areas with fewer than 10,000 people by supporting projects with a dollar amount of $500,000 to $5 million.
U.S. DOE removed the cost-share requirement for this grant opportunity and streamlined the project application process. Applicants are required to submit Community Benefits Plans to ensure benefits spread equitably across affected communities. Eligible applicants include State and local governmental entities, Indian Nations, for-profit and non-profit entities, Institutions of higher education, and consortia.
The ERA Program also supports rural and remote American communities through technical assistance, prize competitions, grants, and cooperative agreements. Read the full funding opportunity announcement for the ERA program and visit the grant funding notice page for additional information. The submission deadline for pre-applications is July 13, and full applications are due October 12.
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Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar |
U.S. DOE’s National Community Solar Partnership announced the second round of the American-Made Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar. These awards offer $200,000 to community solar projects and programs that employ best practices in delivering meaningful benefits to their subscribers and communities.
The Sunny Awards recognize community solar project portfolios and state, utility, municipal, tribal, or territory-led programs that employ or develop best practices to increase equitable access to the meaningful benefits of community solar. These include low to moderate-income household access, greater household savings, increased resilience, community ownership, and equitable workforce development and entrepreneurship. U.S. DOE defines community solar as any solar project or purchasing program in which the benefits of a solar project flow to multiple customers, such as individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and other groups, within a certain geographic area.
Applications are due July 14.
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U.S. DOE’s Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) is offering more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to teams across America with winning ideas to accelerate widespread, equitable energy efficiency and building electrification upgrades.
In Phase 1 of Buildings UP, teams will submit innovative concepts to increase building energy upgrades, choosing to enter one of two pathways, Equity-Centered Innovation or Open Innovation. Equity-Centered Innovation teams focus on delivering upgrades to low- and moderate-income homes; small, disadvantaged businesses; and other equity-eligible buildings. Open Innovation teams will propose a concept for replicable and scalable solutions that address a geographic area or building type.
Community-based organizations, state and local governments, Indian tribes, building owners, utilities, nonprofit organizations, energy efficiency program implementers, and other organizations are encouraged to team up and apply. Up to 50 Application Support Prizes of $5,000 and 10 hours of technical assistance are available to help new and under-resourced teams complete Phase 1 applications. The Application Support Prize will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are expended.
An informational webinar will be held on June 13 at 2:00 PM Eastern. Follow Buildings UP on HeroX.com for all prize-related updates. Phase 1 submissions are due July 18.
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Historically Black Colleges and Universities Clean Energy Education Prize |
U.S. DOE launched a competition for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to support the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics workforce. The HBCU Clean Energy Education Prize aims to help develop advanced clean energy programming opportunities and connections for HBCUs across the county.
The prize has three primary goals:
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- Inspire K-12 and community college students to engage with and learn about clean energy subjects through HBCU-hosted educational programs.
- Initiate partnerships between HBCUs and other universities with proven clean energy focused programs to build new cross-university degree and certificate programs.
- Integrate and build programming between university and industry partners to advance career opportunities for HBCU students in clean energy.
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The prize will have two track options, the Inspire Track and the Partnership Track; however, only the Inspire Track is currently open. The Inspire Track supports the development and expansion of HBCU-hosted clean energy summer or academic break programs for K-12 and community college students. The Partnership Track will support the building of partnerships between HBCUs and other universities, government agencies, and industry leaders to inform new programs and provide professional opportunities that will equip HBCU students with skills for clean energy careers.
An informational webinar will be held June 6 at 1:00 PM Eastern to provide an overview of the prize tracks, requirements, and timelines. Submissions are due August 24.
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Solar Energy for Economic Development Webinar |
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Funding Webinar Series from TVA’s Connected Communities Program |
TVA’s Connected Communities Program announced a new monthly webinar series that will provide an overview of the federal funding opportunities available to communities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Webinars will discuss how organizations can benefit from these new resources and collaborate with other stakeholders. Register here for the first webinar on June 13.
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Energy Storage Grand Challenge Summit |
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| Southeast Energy Policy Forum |
- Wednesday, August 16: The Forces Driving our Energy Future
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Thursday, August 17: The Evolution of Energy Technologies and Economics
- Friday, August 18: How Policy Will Determine Our Path to a Zero-Carbon Future
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Register by August 1 for early bird rates.
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Funding and Incentives Resource Hub from U.S. DOE Better Buildings
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U.S. DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Office has created two new fact sheets to help highlight opportunities and benefits and to raise awareness of geothermal energy. The What is Geothermal Energy fact sheet offers a high-level overview of geothermal energy and how it can be used. The Geothermal Heat Pumps fact sheet shares information about systems available to heat and cool buildings throughout the U.S.
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For more information or to submit an idea for a future Monthly Energy Edition, contact:
Audrey Jackson, Communications Officer
TDEC Office of Energy Programs
615-917-6683 or audrey.jackson@tn.gov
OR
Alexa Voytek, Deputy Director, OEP Programs
U.S. DOE State Energy Program / Innovation & Transportation / Communications
TDEC Office of Energy Programs
615-613-1096 or alexa.voytek@tn.gov
OR
Mark Finlay, Senior Energy Analyst, TDEC Office of Energy Programs
615-772-6011 or mark.finlay@tn.gov
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Acknowledgement: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the State Energy Program Award Number DE-EE0009487
Disclaimer: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.
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