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| Tennessee Workplace Charging Partnership
In August, Drive Electric TN, a Tennessee Clean Fuels initiative, was launched. The project aims to spur the growth, adoption and deployment of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the State of Tennessee. One particular focus of this website is promoting the new Tennessee Workplace Charging Partnership, in addition to the national version, known as the U.S. DOE EV Everywhere Workplace Charging Challenge. These challenges are open to employers of all sizes and industry types in the U.S. whose charging stations are primarily for or include the opportunity for employees to use them. Companies that take on the challenge commit to install charging for PEVs at their worksites, thus playing a critical role in helping to build the nation’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. By signing on as a partner, employers gain statewide or national recognition, access to a peer-to-peer information exchange network on best practices and lessons learned, as well as direct technical assistance and access to related informational U.S. DOE resources. Now in its second full year, the DOE Workplace Charging Challenge program’s initial goal was to increase the number of employers that offer electric vehicle charging tenfold by 2018. So far, over 300 work sites across the country have signed up to participate. Within the State of Tennessee program, the following companies and local governments have signed or are planning to sign on as Tennessee Workplace Charging Partners:
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| U.S DOE and Tennessee Association of Realtors Partner Up for Home Energy Efficiency
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| Tennessee Companies Featured in 2015 Top Solar Contractors List
Other Tennessee companies to make the list: - Green Earth Solar: #20 in Top Solar Construction Firms and #137 in Top Solar Commercial Contractors
- Efficient Energy of Tennessee: #38 in Top Solar Utility Contractors and #67 in Top Solar EPCs
- Vis Solis: #37 in Top Solar Developers
- ACE LLC Solar: #44 in Top Solar Developers and #113 in Top Solar Commercial Contractors
- Lightwave Solar: #117 in Top Solar Commercial Contractors and #148 in Top Solar EPCs
- Tennessee Solar Solutions: #118 in Top Solar Commercial Contractors and #152 in Top Solar EPCs
- ARiES Energy: #139 for Top Solar Commercial Contractors and #194 in Top Solar EPCs
- Construction Art: #465 in Top Solar Commercial Contractors and #218 in Top Solar EPCs
- EcoLogical Energy Systems: #247 in Top Solar Residential Contractors and #210 in Top Solar EPCs
- Appalachian Renewable Resources: #250 in Top Solar Residential Contractors and #213 in Top Solar EPCs
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| TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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| Knoxville's Extreme Energy Makeover
On August 25, 2015, Knoxville officially launched its TVA-funded “Extreme Energy Makeover” weatherization program, which will improve the energy efficiency of more than 1,200 homes in Knoxville over the next two years. During the launch, it was announced that, “TVA has increased the ‘Smart Communities’ grant funding” for the program “from the $7 million announced in April to $15 million.” Knoxville-Knox County’s Community Action Community (CAC) will manage the program, and is now accepting applications from eligible residents. To qualify, applicants must live in single-family, electric-heated houses or duplexes that were built before 1995 and are within the city limits. Applicants must also meet annual income requirements. Find eligibility and application requirements at www.KEEMteam.com. Eligible energy-efficiency upgrades will be made at no cost to the homeowner. The type of improvements will depend on the specific needs of each home, but the improvements are designed to reduce each home’s annual electricity use by at least 25 percent. Common upgrades include installation of weather stripping, upgrades of heating units, air sealing, and insulation of walls, ducts, pipes and attics.
Potential applicants are invited to come by CAC’s offices (2247 Western Ave., Knoxville) from August 31 – September 4 to submit an application.
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| Energy Department Announces $10 Million to Advance Efficient, Environmentally-Friendly Highway Transportation Technologies
On August 26, 2015, U.S. DOE announced $10 million in funding to develop innovative solutions for efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicle technologies. The funding is being awarded to eight incubator projects that will pursue breakthrough solutions to help reduce petroleum use in the U.S., while lowering costs and reducing environmental impacts.
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| Additional Resources and Incentives to Save Energy at Home
Are you curious about what you can do to enhance your home energy savings? By way of the three below-mentioned programs, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and your local power company are making it easier for homeowners to conserve energy and lower monthly energy bills: 1. Take advantage of the TVA eScore™ – Home Depot “ellumination” event. For a limited-time only, customers are able to receive the following in-store lighting discounts: $3.00 off per bulb on selected LEDs $1.00 off per bulb on selected CFLs Eligible bulbs are automatically discounted at checkout and are marked by an eScore Opportunity sticker in the lighting section of participating Home Depot locations. Customers are limited to 12 packages. This offer expires on September 18, 2015. 2. Take the eScore™ Self Audit at your place of residence. This quick and easy online audit will help you learn about your home’s energy use and provide recommendations to help you save money right away. Furthermore, all qualifying households that complete the audit will receive a free energy saving kit containing CFLs and other tools to help you save energy and money. As a bonus, homeowners who complete the Self Audit between July 16 and September 30 will receive a $10 Home Depot gift card in their energy savings kit. 3. Finally, TVA and participating local power companies are partnering to offer the eScore™ residential energy efficiency program. Customers who make a qualified energy efficiency upgrade performed by a Quality Contractor Network (QCN) member or a participating Home Depot retailer will receive an in-home energy evaluation by a TVA-Certified Energy Advisor, an online eScore card with a customized list of recommended energy efficiency upgrades, and access to rebates for upgrades made. Work your way toward a score of 10 while increasing your home’s comfort and saving money!
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EV Everywhere Logo Design Challenge
In a new consumer outreach effort, the U.S. DOE is holding a logo design competition for the EV Everywhere initiative, the leading platform for all of DOE’s efforts to increase the use of plug-in electric vehicles. In particular, EV Everywhere focuses on the U.S. becoming the first nation in the world to produce plug-in electric vehicles that are as affordable for the average American family by 2022 as a 2012 baseline gasoline-powered vehicle. The winning EV Everywhere logo design will receive $5000 and will become the official logo for this initiative. It will be featured in a wide variety of EV Everywhere external communications products, including the website, social media, pamphlets, and a magnetic vehicle decal. The logo must communicate the following two ideas: 1) that plug-in electric vehicles are beneficial and practical and 2) that EV Everywhere is the place to come to find data-driven, objective information about these vehicles. Logo design entries are due by September 25, 2015. For a full list of rules, as well as the application form, please visit www.challenge.gov.
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| New Round of Funding for USDA Rural Energy for America Program
USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) creates opportunities for economic development for rural small businesses, farmers and ranchers by supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. REAP grants provide a 25% reimbursement of the total system costs, with a maximum grant of $500,000 for renewable energy systems and $250,000 for energy efficiency systems. On August 7, 2014, USDA Rural Development announced the opening of a fall REAP funding round, with $63 million in funding available. USDA estimates that this round of REAP projects will generate or save “207.8 million kilowatt hours (KWh) of energy – enough to power more than 13,600 homes for a year.” Applications will be due on November 2, 2015. Further details on the new round of funding are forthcoming. For more information, and updates on the application requirements, contact Pam Crozier, REAP’s Coordinator for Tennessee, at pamela.crozier@tn.usda.gov or (615) 783-1367.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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| Alternative Fuels Workshop Presented by Lee-Smith, Inc.
On September 9, 2015, from 8 am-4:30 pm, Lee-Smith, Inc. in Chattanooga will host an alternative fuels workshop, which will include presentations and vehicle demonstrations by Clean Cities Georgia, ETCleanFuels, Ferrellgas, Ford Commercial Trucks, ICOM North America, IMPCO Automotive, Isuzu Commercial Trucks, Landi-Renzo USA, Mach Fuels, and Roush CleanTech. Participants will learn about the various types of alternative fuels and how to choose the right one for specific applications or business types. The event is free and lunch will be provided. For more information, click here.
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National Drive Electric Week
From September 12-20, 2015, Plug in America, the Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association will present National Drive Electric Week 2015, during which events celebrating electric vehicles (EVs) will take place across the U.S and other countries. In the State of Tennessee, gatherings held by local EV drivers and/or advocates in Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga and Pigeon Forge will consist of ride-and-drives, rallies, roundtables, and information sessions to raise awareness and promote increased deployment of EVs locally.
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| Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative 2015 National Summit
On September 15, 2015, clean energy manufacturing stakeholders will present on national priorities for clean energy manufacturing at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. and will explore models for addressing these priorities, identify key gaps and opportunities for growing U.S. clean energy manufacturing competitiveness, and showcase U.S. clean energy manufacturing activities. The event will run from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm. For more information about the summit’s agenda, speakers and registration, visit http://energy.gov/eere/cemi/events/cemi-2015-national-summit.
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| ACEEE National Conference on Energy Efficiency as a Resource
From September 20-22, 2015, the ACEEE National Conference on Energy Efficiency as a Resource will take place in Little Rock, Arkansas. The conference is widely recognized as the premiere event for examining energy efficiency as a strategic and critical utility system resource. The program content will be specifically designed to focus on the issues related to utility-sector energy efficiency policies and programs. Industry leaders will gather to discuss the latest developments in the use of energy efficiency as a key resource for meeting customer and utility system needs and for addressing other critical economic and environmental objectives. Likely Participants Include: Leading experts from a broad spectrum of energy industry stakeholders including utilities, regulatory commissions, state government, consultants, manufacturers, environmental organizations, consumer groups and research institutes. For more information, click here. To register, click here.
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| "Explore ORNL" Conference
The "Explore ORNL" Conference is scheduled for September 23-24 and will coincide with a larger industrial outreach event. The event will feature capabilities in building technologies, vehicle technologies and advanced manufacturing, and will highlight new opportunities for small businesses to gain access to national laboratories, including ORNL. Information about the September industry event will be released in the coming weeks.
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| TEMA and TPTC Collaborate on National Preparedness Month Push
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and the Tennessee Public Television Council (TPTC) are teaming up for National Preparedness Month in September to get emergency preparedness information into the households of more than 4 million Tennesseans. These two partners have produced Ready Tennessee, a 30-minute documentary that provides practical planning tips to help individuals and families be prepared for disasters and emergencies. Ready Tennessee will air at the following dates and times on Tennessee’s PBS channels in September: • WCTE, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m., CT • East TN PBS, Sept. 4, at 10:30 p.m., ET • NPT, Sept. 4, at 9:30 p.m., CT • WTCI, Sept. 13, at 10:30 p.m., ET • WLJT, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m., CT • WKNO, Sept. 17, at 9:30 p.m., CT Tennessee's PBS stations will continue to broadcast Ready Tennessee on their main channels over the next year with additional airings on the Tennessee Channel. The documentary will also be available online through the individual PBS stations' websites. For more information on National Preparedness Month, visit http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.
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| NGV Technician Safety Training by NGVi
The Natural Gas Vehicle Institute (NGVi) provides technical training on the inspection and servicing of natural gas vehicles. From October 27-29, 2015 NGVi will hold a public natural gas vehicle (NGV) technician safety training course, as well as a CNG fuel system inspector training course, in Nashville. The course will touch on the properties and characteristics of natural gas, compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and safety procedures, CNG fueling station equipment and operation, CNG defueling, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and LNG vehicles, as well as LNG fueling and defueling.
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| SEEA-AESP Southeast Conference
Energy efficiency is advancing by leaps and bounds across the Southeast, bringing with it improvements in local economies, a national lead in housing starts, job growth, and a new appreciation for the benefits of a sustainable energy future. This year’s SEEA-AESP Southeast Conference, which will take place from October 28-30, 2015 in Atlanta, GA, will examine the multi-faceted role energy efficiency plays in advancing economic development, energy security and public well-being across the southeastern states.
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