TVA Approves 4.5% Rate Increase |
The TVA Board of Directors recently approved a 4.5% rate increase to take effect beginning on October 1. The rate increase is expected to translate to an average increase of $3.50 for a typical monthly residential energy bill. The increase is attributed to growth in demand and economic development in the region. A portion of the additional revenue from the increase will go towards TVA investments over the next three years in energy efficiency and demand response programs to help lower energy bills and offset new load growth.
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Metro Nashville Releases Draft Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan |
Metro Nashville has released a draft Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CARP) to guide future Metro investment and actions in both and to improve the city’s resilience to climate-driven hazards in an equitable and transparent way. The CARP is a companion document to Metro’s 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP), which focuses on climate mitigation and the actions that Nashville can take to prevent or reduce greenhouse gas emissions and associated climate impacts. Metro is accepting public comments on the draft plan through October 31 through a web-based form available here.
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UT Knoxville Awarded $1 Million by U.S. DOE for Hydrogen R&D |
U.S. DOE recently announced $47 million in funding for projects to accelerate the research, development, and demonstration of affordable clean hydrogen technologies. The University of Tennessee (UT) Knoxville was selected to receive $1 million in funding for its project titled, “Highly Active Hexagonal Boron Nitride Catalysts for the Dehydrogenation of Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers.” Projects funded under this opportunity will focus on lowering technology costs, enhancing hydrogen infrastructure, and improving the performance of hydrogen fuel cells, thus supporting the U.S. DOE's efforts to reduce costs and enable commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen.
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Launch of the American Climate Corps |
The White House recently announced the launch of the American Climate Corps, a workforce training and service initiative that will mobilize a new, diverse generation of over 20,000 Americans, putting them to work to conserve and restore land and water, bolster community resilience, deploy clean energy, implement energy efficient technology, and more. All American Climate Corps programs will be paid experiences that adhere to a common set of programmatic standards and provide pathways to employment opportunities in the public and private sectors. No prior experience is required for most positions. Follow the link above to sign up and learn more about joining the Corps.
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Communities Local Energy Action Program Technical Assistance Available |
U.S. DOE’s Communities Local Energy Action Program (LEAP) is open for applications for technical assistance services valued at over $18 million. The funding will support 24-32 communities to develop and advance their own community-driven clean energy transition approach. Under Communities LEAP, U.S. DOE matches selected communities with technical assistance providers that will assist them with bringing their clean energy planning and economic development vision to life.
Eligible applicants are low-income, energy-burdened communities that are experiencing either direct environmental justice impacts, or direct economic impacts from a shift away from historical reliance on fossil fuels. The Communities LEAP map of eligible census tracts is available here. Applications are due December 14.
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Clean Energy to Communities Technical Assistance Opportunities |
U.S. DOE’s Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program is offering two technical assistance opportunities: Peer-Learning Cohorts and Expert Match.
The Peer-Learning Cohorts opportunity will convene up to 15 communities around common energy topics to learn from each other and national energy experts over six months. Cohorts will learn about three different energy challenges: evaluating municipal buildings for energy efficiency and decarbonization potential, enhancing energy resilience of critical facilities, and developing community-driven approaches to transportation electrification.
Local governments, tribes, and other eligible organizations seeking insights from a nationwide peer network and national laboratory experts are eligible to apply. Learn more about cohort topics and eligibility requirements and apply on the C2C cohorts webpage. Applications for the next round of cohorts are due October 31.
The Expert Match technical assistance opportunity pairs communities with national laboratory experts to provide tailored solutions that address near-term clean energy challenges and questions related to transportation, buildings, renewable energy, resilience, energy justice, financing, and other clean energy topics over the course of about three months. Eligible organizations include community stakeholders, such as city, town, or county governments, tribal governments, planning organizations, community-based organizations, nongovernmental organizations, utilities, community colleges, and universities. Eligible entities can apply to C2C Expert Match at any time.
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Community Energy Innovation Prize |
U.S. DOE recently launched the Community Energy Innovation Prize competition, administered through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), that will award up to $7.5 million in prizes as well as mentorship opportunities to organizations supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and economic development in communities historically underrepresented in climate and energy technology funding. With three prize tracks, the prize aims to support local organizations with proven track records of engaging underserved communities and/or promoting environmental, climate, and energy justice as they enact community-led climate and clean energy solutions; inspire the next generation of clean energy leaders with opportunities for college students to work with community partners; and foster innovation in clean energy manufacturing ecosystems in historically underserved communities.
The three prize tracks are as follows:
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Clean Energy Ecosystem Track: In this track, a total prize pool of $4.9 million is available for community-led projects across a wide range of clean energy initiatives, technologies, and areas of focus that advance local clean energy transitions.
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Manufacturing Ecosystem Track: In this track, a total prize pool of $2.1 million is available for projects that advance clean energy manufacturing innovation ecosystems in historically underserved communities. Successful applicants will bring public, private, and community stakeholders together to address key barriers to advancing manufacturing innovation, business models, and market development. These projects may include but are not limited to, manufacturing-related education and workforce development, entrepreneurship, resilient supply chains, circular economy development, or other goals related to clean energy manufacturing.
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Collegiate Track: In this track, a total prize pool of $450,000 is available for student-led teams to work alongside a community partner on a project related to the clean energy transition. These efforts aim to help prepare students for careers in clean energy through collaboration in a real-world setting. Students from minority-serving institutions, universities located in rural and/or disadvantaged communities, and community colleges are especially encouraged to apply.
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All three tracks of the prize will consist of three phases: Concept, Progress, and Impact. Any eligible team may compete in the first phase, Concept, where applicants form coalitions and develop project ideas. Up to 34 teams across the three tracks will be selected as Concept phase winners and receive an initial prize along with mentorship and access to NREL technology experts. Winning teams will be eligible to move on to the remaining phases.
Register here for a webinar to learn more about the Collegiate Track on October 2 at 3:00 PM Eastern, and register here for a webinar with additional information on the Clean Energy Innovation and Manufacturing Ecosystem Tracks, which will be held on October 12 at 2:00 PM Eastern.
Additionally, on October 19 at 2:00 PM Eastern, the Clean Energy Business Network will host a webinar with a brief overview of the prize, application process, and sources of support, followed by a few words from prior prize winners and an open Q&A about crafting a successful application and maximizing prize resources to achieve your project goals. Register for the webinar here.
Applications for the Collegiate Track are due on November 3, and Clean Energy Ecosystem and Manufacturing Ecosystem Track applications are due on February 2, 2024.
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Energy Efficiency Career Skills Training Program |
U.S. DOE recently announced $10 million in funding for the Career Skills Training Program. The program offers competitive funding for nonprofit partnerships between public or private industry and labor organizations to deliver programs that provide both energy efficiency classroom instruction and on-the-job training. The program aims to increase the number of qualified green building workforce members across the country, including building performance professionals, energy auditors, and other energy efficiency workers, and support the implementation of energy efficiency improvements nationwide.
The Office of State and Community Engagement will host an informational webinar on October 3 at 3:00 PM Eastern. Additional information is available on the Factsheet and in the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Applications are due November 27.
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Rebates Available for Transformers and Extended Product Systems Through U.S. DOE |
The U.S. DOE Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) is providing rebates for the replacement of a qualified energy inefficient transformer with a qualified energy efficient transformer and for expenditures made by qualified entities for the purchase or installation of a qualified extended product system.
The Energy Efficient Transformer Rebate Program aims to help qualified entities such as domestic manufacturers, utilities, hospitals, schools, and other operators replace qualified energy inefficient distribution transformers with qualified energy efficient transformers. Applicants are also eligible if they are replacing transformers that were destroyed in a natural disaster. MESC will accept applications for rebates until the program deadline of December 8 or until funds are expended, whichever comes first.
Rebates under the Extended Product System Rebate Program are for qualified entities that purchased and installed or newly incorporated an extended product system. Extended Product Systems (EPS) are industrial and large HVAC systems that are combinations of electric motors, electronic control, and driven load (e.g., pumps, fans, and compressors). MESC will accept applications for rebates until funds are expended.
Please contact DOERebates@icf.com with any questions or for more information.
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Tennessee Volunteer Emission Reduction Strategy Engagement Opportunities |
The Tennessee Volunteer Emission Reduction Strategy (TVERS) is an emissions reduction plan currently being developed by TDEC with support from various partners. This plan is funded through the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program, established by the Inflation Reduction Act. Through this program, funding will be provided to states, local governments, air pollution control agencies, tribes, and territories to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other harmful air pollutants. Watch the TVERS kickoff webinar to learn more about the plan.
Tennessee is one of 47 states that accepted allocated funding to participate in this federally funded initiative, with TDEC as the State grant recipient. As part of this program, TDEC will work closely with the three municipalities in Tennessee that also received funding: Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville.
Multiple opportunities for engagement are scheduled across the state, and registration is encouraged.
Scheduled events include:
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- Memphis, Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library: October 2, 5:30 PM Central
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Knoxville, East Tennessee History Center: October 16th, 5:00 PM Eastern
- Nashville, Lents Public Health Center: October 19th, 5:30 PM Central
- Johnson City/Kingsport, Meadowview Hotel and Convention Center: October 24, 6:00 PM Eastern
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TDEC has developed a survey to collect input from stakeholders and the public about emission reduction priorities, current actions, and concerns for you and your community. The TVERS survey should take less than ten minutes to complete and is open until November 15.
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Better Buildings Webinar Series |
The Better Buildings Webinar Series takes on the most pressing topics facing energy professionals, with experts leading the conversations on proven best practices, cost-effective strategies, and innovative new ways to approach sustainability and energy performance. View all upcoming webinars here, or click on any webinar below to register.
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| Tennessee Valley Solar + Storage Conference |
TenneSEIA will host the 2023 Tennessee Valley Solar + Storage Conference in Chattanooga from October 18-19. The focus of the Conference is to bring together people interested in growing solar business opportunities in the Tennessee Valley to discuss strategies, market trends, and policies that impact the solar industry. Attendees will participate in in-depth and forward-looking discussions on TVA policy and processes and the evolving technical opportunities facing the industry in the Tennessee Valley region.
View the agenda and register online here.
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Tennessee Environmental Conference |
The Tennessee Environmental Conference will be held October 23-25 in Kingsport. The three-day event will bring together industry leaders, environmental professionals, consultants, government liaisons, decision-makers, academia, entrepreneurs, and influencers from across the region to network for solutions. It is designed to help professionals learn about new technologies, current updated regulations, innovative ideas, case studies and best practices that improve how we manage our natural resources. Keynote speakers will include TDEC Commissioner David Salyers and Deputy Commissioner Greer Tidwell.
For the first time this year, a Sustainability Solutions Symposium will feature panel discussions and presentations on best practices, case studies, and real solutions from top environmental professionals and leaders. The event will include a series of educational sessions focusing on emerging issues in the field of sustainability, as well as networking opportunities to share knowledge and experiences with peers from across Tennessee and beyond.
Register here.
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The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) will host the annual Opportunities in Energy event on November 15 from 9:30 AM until 5:00 PM Eastern at The Standard in Knoxville. The all-day event invites members and stakeholders to hear about new and innovative opportunities in the advanced energy sector, including trends, businesses, technologies, partnerships, and initiatives.
A keynote panel will discuss the evolution of the automotive industry in Tennessee with former Senator and Governor Lamar Alexander and former Governor and current Founding Chairman of Silicon Ranch Corporation and Clearloop Phil Bredesen. Marianne Wanamaker, dean of UT-Knoxville’s Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, will moderate the discussion. Additionally, during the event, cohort two of the Spark Cleantech Accelerator will celebrate their demo day. Attendees will hear pitches from these Energy Network companies from UT Research Park and Innovation Crossroads.
At the event, TAEBC will present a state or local leader with the annual Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award. The award honors exemplary leadership and success in championing, connecting, and strengthening Tennessee’s advanced energy economy.
Register here.
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Report on Electricity Sector Emissions Impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act |
U.S. EPA recently released a report, Electricity Sector Emissions Impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which utilizes state-of-the-art multi-sector and electric sector models to assess how the IRA’s provisions will reduce emissions. The report examines the projected reductions in CO2 emissions due to IRA provisions included in the modeling tools. The report finds that the IRA has accelerated efforts to lower economy-wide CO2 emissions, which includes electricity generation and use, by 35%- 43% below 2005 levels by 2030.
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Tracking Decarbonization in the Southeast Report |
The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) recently released its fifth edition of the annual Tracking Decarbonization in the Southeast report, which tracks carbon emissions and remediation efforts in the southeast. The report notes that across the region, utilities plan to decrease coal, increase solar, and continue to rely on gas while also continuing to improve energy efficiency as a method to reduce emissions.
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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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