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EV Infrastructure in Tennessee
By: Chris Pianta
The popularity of Electric Vehicles (EVs) continues to grow every year throughout the United States. In 2022, EVs comprised more than 1.7 million vehicles in operation across the country, a significant jump from more than 400,000 EVs just five years ago. However, to be able to sustain this growth, the charging infrastructure to fuel these vehicles must be able to expand at the same rate. Thanks to some special partnerships and grant funding, the State of Tennessee is doing its part to ensure that it is “leading the charge” in this effort.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have partnered to develop a statewide EV fast charging network to support the growth of EVs across Tennessee and reduce barriers to transportation electrification. Specifically, they will develop a network of fast charging stations every 50 miles along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways. The Fast Charge TN Network will add approximately 40 new charging locations along prioritized corridor infrastructure gaps. For reference, as of March 2023, there were only 25 fast charging locations currently operating in Tennessee that are open to all consumers and support both charging standards common to EVs.
In July of 2022, TDEC announced that $5.2 million in grant funding would be awarded to 12 entities to pay for the installation of 32 total charging units at 13 sites across Tennessee. The funding was offered through the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust which support projects that reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Two years ago, Tennessee State Parks began a partnership with EV automaker, Rivian, to install charging stations in Tennessee state parks. With Tennesseans increasingly reliant on EVs, the partnership allows state parks to play a significant role to enable recreation in all corners of our state and support TDEC’s commitment to clean air. As of January 2023, chargers have been deployed in a total of 12 parks across the state.
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The Tennessee Radon Program recently held continuing education courses for realtors and contractors across the state. More courses will be held in Murfreesboro, TN on August 16 and 17 at the Fleming Training Center. These 8 hour courses will cover radon testing and mitigation for multi-family homes, schools, and other large buildings and are approved courses for the National Radon Proficiency Program CEU credit. The first day’s class will cover testing protocols while the second day will cover mitigation. Both days are free to attend but please register in advance as space is limited.
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The Tennessee Composting Council is seeking speakers for the first ever composting conference in Tennessee. The conference will be held in Nashville on October 18, 2023. All speakers receive free registration along with their company’s name and logo on the conference program. Abstracts are due by August 15 and should be submitted to info@tncompostingcouncil.org.
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World Honey Bee Day is on Saturday, August 19th. It is a holiday that reminds us of the beauty and value of bees. There are roughly 20,000 different species of bees that not only contribute to the pollination of wildflowers, but also to the pollination of agricultural crops. Bees and other pollinators pollinate an estimated 90% of flowering plants and 70% of the world’s main crops, making the economic contributions of bees also invaluable. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the pollination of the honey bee alone is valued above $14 billion a year.
Tennessee State Park’s Honey Project helps promote pollinator and environmental health in our parks, provide an experiential learning opportunity for visitors, and produces sweet treats for our guests. Since its establishment, the Honey Project has installed honey bee hives at 39 state parks across Tennessee with at least two hives at each park. Parks bottle and sell the honey in state park gift shops based on their hive's production.
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Small Business Environmental Assistance Corner
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| The dog days of summer are upon us. Whether it’s scorching hot, or more humid than hot, or hot as all get out, it feels like you can fry an egg on the sidewalk…or the hood of a car, and wash it down with some sweet iced tea. While Tennesseans have all types of innovative and fun descriptions of the heat, exposure to elevated temperatures is a serious matter due to the dangers associated with it. All of us are susceptible, whether you are a homeowner cutting your grass or a small business working in a building or outside with little to no air conditioning. Educate yourself on the signs, symptoms, and differences of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (see the handy graphic above).
If you are considering steps to you can take to reduce your small business’ contribution to pollution, reach out to SBEAP to learn what environmental regulations and permits may be involved.
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Too much zucchini? Check out these 5 recipes to use it before it goes to waste!
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Applications Due: August 22, 2023
Applications Due: August 24, 2023
Conferences/Workshops/Training Opportunities
August 16-18, 2023
August 23-25, 2023
Applications Due: August 22, 2023
October 23-25, 2023
October 25-26, 2023
Stay tuned as we receive updates about upcoming conferences.
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