| Valley Pathways Study: Preliminary Findings Report Released |
TVA and the University of Tennessee’s Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs have released the Preliminary Findings Report for the Valley Pathways Study. The Valley Pathways Study was launched in February 2023 to evaluate the existing environmental landscape and explore opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and create a competitive, sustainable economy. The study found that the transportation sector is the largest source of emissions in the region, which is consistent with the national emissions landscape, and that electricity generation produces approximately 27 percent of emissions. The Baker School will provide future updates as data is available. Additional information can be found in a one-page summary of the findings and an informational video.
|
|
|
TVA Connected Communities Awards Second Round of Pilot Projects |
Connected Communities are towns, main streets, neighborhoods, and cities in the TVA service region using technology and data-related solutions to address community challenges and prepare for a modern energy system. TVA Connected Communities Pilot Projects aim to improve the quality of life and equity for communities in its service area through innovative community-driven solutions. Pilot project funding is intended to help communities gain expertise and test approaches that will 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.
TVA announced six new Pilot Projects under the second round of funding, four of which are located in Tennessee. One project, “Driving Tennessee Forward - EV Technologies,” led by Southwest Tennessee Community College, will receive $950,000 to create a program that provides the community with equitable access to EV charging stations and develops a curriculum for students to learn the necessary skills for jobs related to EV charging.
|
|
|
Tennessee Company to Lead Clean Hydrogen Project Awarded Funding from U.S. DOE |
eSpin Technologies, based in Chattanooga, along with the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Oregon, and other companies from around the country, will receive $6.3 million in funding from the U.S. DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support clean hydrogen electrolysis, manufacturing, and recycling. eSpin’s project will focus on electrolyzer component and supply chain development, with an emphasis on improving the efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness of materials.
|
|
|
TDEC Accepting Nominations for Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards |
|
|
|
TDEC invites Tennesseans to submit nominations for the 2024 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards, which recognize outstanding achievements by individuals, local governments, businesses, organizations, educational institutions, and agencies for successful environmental projects and conservation measures. The honors include ten categories: Agriculture and Forestry, Building Green, Clean Air, Energy and Renewable Resources, Environmental Education and Outreach, Materials Management, Natural Resources, Water Quality, Sustainable Performance, and Lifetime Achievement.
The Energy and Renewable Resources award recognizes projects that further the widespread use and adoption of alternative fuels or novel domestic fuel sources, energy conservation and energy efficiency strategies, or innovative energy or alternative fuel devices or techniques. Additionally, the Clean Air award will demonstrate measurable progress in reducing hazardous air pollutants, volatile organic compounds, acid rain precursors, greenhouse gases and other air emissions sources, outdoor exposure to toxic air contaminants, and/or air deposition loading to land and water. Self-nominations are encouraged. For more information about each category, judging criteria, and nomination forms, visit the TDEC Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards web page. The nomination deadline has been extended to March 31.
|
|
|
| Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Releases National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy |
|
|
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation announced the release of the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy, developed in collaboration with U.S. DOE, U.S. DOT, and the EPA. The strategy sets an actionable vision and comprehensive approach to ramping up the deployment of a zero-emission freight network across the United States by 2040. The strategy focuses on advancing the deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fueling infrastructure by targeting public investment to amplify private sector momentum, focus utility and regulatory energy planning, align industry activity, and mobilize communities for clean transportation.
|
|
|
IRS Releases Final Rules on Elective Pay |
The IRS has released final rules for elective payment, a mechanism made available by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to allow non-profits, state and local governments, rural energy cooperatives, and many other tax-exempt entities to access clean energy tax credits. Applicable entities can use direct pay for 12 of the IRA tax credits, including for the generation of clean electricity through solar, wind, and battery storage projects; community solar projects that bring clean energy to neighborhood families; the installation of EV charging infrastructure; and the purchase of clean vehicles for state or city-owned fleets.
|
|
|
|
|
New “Energizing Tennessee” Podcast Episodes from TAEBC |
Energizing Tennessee, a podcast from the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) and FirstBank, explores the latest news and insights about the advanced energy sector with experts sharing their thoughts on transportation electrification, workforce development, and the growing sector of advanced energy in Tennessee’s economy.
|
|
|
In episode eighteen, host Cortney Piper interviews Monica Walker, Manager of Renewables and Energy Strategy at General Motors (GM). Piper and Walker discuss GM’s renewable energy commitments, the EV charging partnership with Pilot Company, and Spring Hill manufacturing facility operations. They also cover how GM was an early adopter of TVA’s Green Invest program.
All episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Click here to listen.
|
|
|
Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) Annual Meeting |
|
|
|
The 2024 TAEBC Annual Meeting will take place at Schneider Electric in Franklin on March 26. This annual event allows TAEBC members, stakeholders, and potential members to gather and discuss the growing advanced energy economy. Speakers include Marc Gibson from TEAM TN, who will speak on positioning Tennessee as the nation’s leader in transportation electrification and digitization, and TDEC OEP Director Molly Cripps, who will speak on siting solar in Tennessee.
Register for the TAEBC Annual Meeting here.
|
|
|
Tennessee Beneficial Electrification Leadership Summit |
The Tennessee Beneficial Electrification Leadership Summit will take place in Lenoir City on March 28 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Eastern. The event will convene leaders from across Tennessee to discuss opportunities and challenges around further electrification of the state’s economy. Additionally, the Summit will bring together stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds to discuss next steps to addressing these challenges and opportunities presented by advancements in electric technology head-on. TDEC OEP Senior Energy Analyst Mark Finlay will speak on a panel on electric transportation and residential opportunities. View the event agenda here and register here.
|
|
|
| Clean Fuels & Products Shot Virtual Summit |
U.S. DOE will host the Clean Fuels & Products Shot Summit virtually April 8 – 9. The virtual event will gather stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and non-profit organizations to engage in the objectives, progress, priorities, and plans for the Clean Fuels & Products Shot, the seventh U.S. DOE Energy Earthshot. The Clean Fuels & Products Shot focuses on decarbonizing the fuel and chemical industry through alternative sources of carbon to advance cost-effective technologies with a minimum of 85% lower emissions by 2035. Register for the summit here.
|
|
|
Drive Electric Tennessee Momentum Summit |
|
|
|
Drive Electric Tennessee (DET) will hold its second annual DriveElectricTN Momentum Summit on May 9 at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. The Momentum Summit will focus on transportation electrification efforts, including workplace charging, economic and environmental benefits, and workforce/manufacturing efforts in the EV industry across Tennessee. The event will also include an EV demonstration and ride and drive. Early bird registration for the event ends on March 31. View the draft agenda and register here. For questions about the Summit, contact DET Coordinator Alex Strong at alex@driveelectrictn.org.
|
|
|
The Company Lab is hosting the 2024 CO.MOBILITY Summit May 20-22 in Chattanooga. The event will highlight innovative startups, industry experts, and legislators who are changing the way we move and consume energy. The event will include networking, panel discussions, and interactive events, such as keynotes, fireside chats, and panel discussions with networking hours and interactive workshops. View confirmed speakers on the event website and register for the CO.MOBILITY Summit here.
|
|
|
| Advanced Clean Transportation Expo |
|
|
The Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo will take place May 20–23 in Las Vegas, NV. The Expo unites the transportation sector in an effort to reduce emissions from goods movement, the service industry, and passenger transportation while also driving economic sustainability. This annual event offers attendees access to the latest technologies, services, and vehicles driving the transition to low- and zero-emission transportation solutions.
The 2024 agenda will feature case studies from fleets that have deployed low- and zero-emission vehicles across applications; the lucrative financial incentives available to reduce total cost of ownership for advanced clean vehicles; climate and environmental policy developments being driven by federal, state, and local agency commitments; and technology advancements taking place with battery technology, charging infrastructure, biofuels, hydrogen, and autonomous vehicles.
View the agenda here and register here.
|
|
|
Forth Roadmap Conference and “Mobility for All” Scholarships |
|
|
|
The 2024 Forth Roadmap Conference, an annual event that convenes leaders in the electric transportation space, will take place September 24-26 in Detroit, MI. The conference will allow attendees to forge relationships and gain valuable insights in a highly interactive format from industry and community leaders, including utilities, local governments, vehicle original equipment manufacturers, charging providers, technology startups, public interest groups, communities, and drivers.
Forth is accepting applications for the Forth Roadmap Conference Mobility for All Scholarships. These scholarships provide free conference access and a travel stipend to individuals from community-based organizations working to increase accessibility to clean transportation in historically underserved communities and communities of color. Applications are due May 3.
Register for the 2024 Forth Roadmap Conference here.
|
|
|
Reducing Diesel Emissions for a Healthier Tennessee Funding Available |
The East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition and TDEC have opened applications for the Reducing Diesel Emissions for a Healthier Tennessee (RDE4HT) Program. The program is funded by the U.S. EPA Diesel Emissions Reductions Act (DERA) State Formula Grant, which provides funding to states to reduce diesel emissions.
The RDE4HT Program will fund several categories of projects in this funding round, including:
|
-
The replacement of eligible older diesel medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles with new, cleaner vehicles. Propane, compressed natural gas, electric, and new diesel vehicles will be eligible as replacements, with alternative fuel projects receiving a higher prioritization.
- The adoption of EPA-verified hybrid and/or idle-reduction technologies.
-
The installation and use of several idle-reduction project types, including a) truck stop electrification (TSE) HVAC and/or plug-in equipment and b) electrified transport refrigeration units (eTRUs) for freight and cargo delivery trailers.
|
Additional information, including information on eligible applicants for each project funding category, can be found in the Request for Proposals, as well as on the RDE4HT website. Applications are due April 23.
|
|
|
| Low- or No-Emission Grant Program and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities |
|
|
The Low- or No-Emission Program will make $1.1 billion available to help transit agencies buy or lease U.S.-built zero- and low-emission transit buses along with charging equipment and supporting facilities. The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program will make $390 million available to support transit agencies in buying and rehabilitating buses and vans and building bus facilities.
Eligible applicants include states, local government authorities or local government entities that operate fixed-route bus services, and Indian tribes. Additional information, including eligible projects can be found on the notice of funding opportunity. Applications for both programs are due April 25 on Grants.gov.
|
|
|
Technical Assistance for Bus Fleet Electrification |
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced the Clean Bus Planning Awards Program (CBPA), funded by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. The CBPA program reduces barriers to zero-emission bus deployment by providing school and transit bus fleets with free technical assistance to develop comprehensive and customized fleet electrification transition plans. Fleets also have the option to receive free deployment assistance from NREL upon completion of their plan.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through September 30.
|
|
|
EPA Community Change Grant Program |
EPA announced $2 billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act for the Community Change Grants Program. Funding is available for projects that deploy clean energy, reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input.
There are two separate tracks available:
|
- Track I: Community-Driven Investments for Change, which is expected to award approximately $1.96 billion for 150 projects at $10-20 million each;
- Track II: Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance, which is expected to award approximately $40 million for 20 projects at $1-3 million each.
|
Eligible applicants include partnerships between two community-based non-profit organizations and partnerships between a community-based non-profit organization and a local government, institution of higher education, or federally recognized tribe. View the Notice of Funding Opportunity and the Grants.gov page for additional information. Applications are due November 21.
|
|
|
Opportunity for Rural Tennesseans to Test EVs |
Rural Reimagined, a U.S. DOE-funded large-scale EV community project, aims to make Tennessee roads greener by loaning EVs to rural Tennesseans interested in making the switch. The program aims to become the backbone of the EV ecosystem in rural communities. Those in eligible areas interested in testing an EV can borrow one at no cost for two to six weeks. Learn more on the Rural Reimagined page, and visit the Tennessee page to register and view participating counties.
|
|
|
|
| Opportunity for Fleets to Test Medium-Duty eTrucks |
Tennessee Tech University and Tennessee Clean Fuels are actively welcoming fleets interested in testing a medium-duty, all-electric step van for their organizational operations. The Medium-Duty eTruck Pilot Project is a federally funded testbed initiative that offers the opportunity for Tennessee fleets to test the all-electric Xos FXSV01 at no cost to evaluate how it performs within their operations. Participating fleets will be able to trial the vehicle for up to one month and will be provided with Level 2 charging infrastructure at no cost.
|
|
|
Fleets will provide information and feedback to the project team on successes and challenges related to driving and charging the vehicle, as well as utilization data, and will receive valuable insight into how an EV can be the right fit for their organization. Interested fleets are encouraged to complete the form linked here. For more information or for answers to any questions, please contact Mark.Finlay@tn.gov.
|
|
|
EMPOWER TN Workplace Charging Assistance Program |
|
|
|
Tennessee Clean Fuels announced the launch of the EMPOWER TN Workplace Charging assistance program. The program provides up to $2,000 in no-cost technical assistance and consulting to assist workplaces with implementing EV charging through funding from the U.S. DOE Vehicle Technologies Office. The first round will allow for 24 workplaces to participate.
Available assistance includes:
|
- Assessment of work sites for suitability and the collection of information from employees to help determine interest and demand;
- Connections to local power companies, leading charging equipment manufacturers, certified installers, and other important vendors;
- Statewide promotion of your workplace's efforts;
- Resources and planning assistance for installation, signage creation, employee education, company policy development, and more;
-
Information and updates on funding opportunities that may offset the cost of purchase and installation; and
- Access to the project team’s network of experts and stakeholders.
|
|
|
Building an EV Workforce: A Review of Southeast Transportation Electrification Workforce Development Training Programs |
The National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO), in partnership with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and Duke University, recently released the report, Building an EV Workforce: A Review of Southeast Transportation Electrification Workforce Development Training Programs. The study seeks to understand existing EV-specific workforce development efforts across ten states in the Southeast and provide policy and program options for State Energy Offices, State Departments of Transportation, and other State agencies. The report and inventory of postsecondary training programs and courses across the ten southeastern states spans EV manufacturing, EV service/maintenance, EV charging infrastructure, and special programs/consortia. Tennessee is noted as having five EV-focused workforce development consortiums and special programs available.
|
|
|
For more information or to submit an idea for a future Monthly Transportation 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
|
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.
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
312 Rosa L Parks Ave. | Nashville, TN 37243 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|