Governor Lee Highlights Energy in State of the State Address |
Earlier this month, Governor Bill Lee delivered the State of the State Address. He presented budget and legislative priorities for the upcoming year to a joint session of the General Assembly. The address focused in part on energy, with Governor Lee proposing over $90 million in funding to support various energy initiatives across the state. Efforts included support for a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Clinch River Nuclear Site, additional funding for the Nuclear Energy Fund, and funding to develop the nation’s first regulatory framework for commercial nuclear fusion power. View the full speech here.
|
|
|
Tennessee Joins Initiative to Propel Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects |
Tennessee recently joined the National Association of State Energy Officials’ (NASEO) new Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative. The initiative will support states that are committed to accelerating advanced nuclear projects and bringing more power to the electric grid for reliability, sustainability, and economic growth. Tennessee is one of the five state co-chairs, all of which are committed to exploring opportunities to reduce financial and technology risks, devising supportive market adoption policies, defining supply chain needs, streamlining federal permitting, developing coordinated procurement options, exploring state-federal-private financing structures, and creating public-private partnerships.
|
|
|
|
|
|
TDEC Seeks Nominations for Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards |
|
|
TDEC invites Tennesseans to submit nominations for the 2025 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards, which recognize individuals, businesses, and other organizations for their commitment to preserving the state’s natural resources. The honors include 10 categories: Agriculture and Forestry; Building Green; Clean Air and Transportation Solutions, Energy and Renewable Resources; Environmental Education and Outreach; Materials Management; Natural Resources; Water Quality; Sustainable Performance; and Lifetime Achievement. Transportation Solutions is new to the Clean Air category, incorporating an award previously given through the Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Awards. The nominee must be located in Tennessee and the project fully implemented in the two years prior to December 31, 2024, or for long-term projects finalized in the year prior to the nomination deadline. All nominees must have a minimum of three consecutive years of overall environmental compliance with TDEC. Self-nominations are encouraged. Nominations will be accepted through March 14.
|
|
|
UTK Awarded $20 Million to Develop Nuclear Fusion Materials |
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) in January was awarded a $20 million grant from U.S. DOE to develop fusion energy materials through the Integrated Materials Program to Accelerate Chamber Technologies (IMPACT) project. The program aims to create nuclear-code-qualified high-temperature materials and to accelerate their application in fusion reactors. One of the biggest challenges in making fusion energy commercially viable is the lack of nuclear-code-qualified high-temperature structural materials that can be used in fusion reactors. IMPACT aims to create a process and database for the first-ever American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel code qualification for a fusion material and to demonstrate how these new materials can more quickly move from code qualification to engineering application.
|
|
|
|
Seven States Power Corporation Receives USDA Funding to Support Solar and Storage in the Tennessee Valley |
In January, Seven States Power Corporation was awarded over $439 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program. The funds will support 250 MW of solar energy and storage initiatives in the Tennessee Valley. The associated project will power nearly 113,000 homes each year, create over 100 jobs, and reduce emissions by nearly 291,000 tons annually. The new solar generation is expected to take up to three to five years for design finalization and full project deployment.
|
|
|
Tennessee Entity Pursues Green and Resilient Retrofits with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Funding |
Wesley Living, a Tennessee-based organization that provides assisted living and senior housing and is a member of the Better Buildings Challenge, has received funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program. The Woodland Homes facility in Lexington, TN previously received $750,000 to increase the energy efficiency and climate resilience of the property, which includes 61 units. Retrofits included the conversion of a furnace and water heater, new electrical wiring, and the addition of solar panels with storage to the community center roof to provide support during power outages. Wesley Living continues to work on facility upgrades with additional funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support solar, storage, and electric vehicle charging on eight additional properties.
|
|
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
Episode twenty-nine includes guest speakers Chris Staackmann, Head of Operations at AESSEAL North America, as well as Solar Alliance’s President & CEO Brian Timmons and General Manager U.S. Jon Hamilton. Together, they highlight the completion of AESSEAL’s solar and storage project, the first of its kind in Tennessee.
In episode thirty, host Cortney Piper interviews Jilleah Welch, Senior Research Association and Lecturer at the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, to discuss the 2024 Tennessee Advanced Energy Economic Impact Report’s findings, including the advanced energy industry’s $55.9 billion contribution to state GDP.
All episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Click here to listen.
|
|
|
U.S. Department of Treasury Releases Final Rules on Multiple Tax Credits |
The U.S. Department of Treasury and the IRS released the final rules for the section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit and the Clean Electricity Tax Credits in tax code sections 45Y and 48E. Final rules on the Clean Hydrogen Production credit clarify how producers of hydrogen, including those using electricity from various sources, natural gas with carbon capture, renewable natural gas (RNG), and coal mine methane, can determine eligibility for the credit. The final rules for the technology-neutral Clean Electricity Credits provide clarity and certainty around what clean electricity zero-emissions technologies qualify for the credits – including wind, solar, hydropower, marine and hydrokinetic, geothermal, nuclear, and certain waste energy recovery properties.
|
|
|
|
Industrial Training & Assessment Centers Implementation Grants |
The U.S. DOE Industrial Training & Assessment Centers (ITAC) Program has re-opened applications for small and medium-sized manufacturing (SMM) firms to receive grants of up to $300,000 per unique assessment recommendation from ITAC assessments. These grants will support projects to improve energy and material efficiency, increase productivity, and reduce emissions at SMMs. U.S. DOE has extended the application deadline and selection process for this program to be compliant with recent Executive Orders. The application deadline is to be determined, and U.S. DOE will provide a 30-60 day notice prior to closing the application portal.
|
|
|
|
The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) will host its Annual Meeting in Nashville on March 5. The Annual Meeting brings together TAEBC members, stakeholders, and potential members to celebrate Tennessee’s growing advanced energy economy. TDEC OEP Director Molly Cripps will speak about the Fast Charge TN Network Grant Program as well as other OEP program offerings. A session on nuclear energy innovations and investments across the state will feature speakers from the Governor’s Officer, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the University of Tennessee System, and the East Tennessee Economic Council. Reserve a spot at the Annual Meeting here.
|
|
|
Tennessee Grant Training Series |
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is hosting a Digital Grant Writing Training Series throughout March. The series is designed to grow knowledge and develop skills in grant research, writing, administration, and financial management. Each training will begin at 1:00 PM Central and last for two hours. The training schedule and associated topics are as follows:
|
- March 6: Grant Budgeting
- March 11: Focusing on Grant Writing
- March 13: Grant Opportunities by Topic Area [Public Safety, Healthcare, Emergency Management, and Community Development]
- March 18: Grant Research: Finding Opportunities and Leveraging Existing Resources
- March 20: Grant Administration
|
|
|
Apprenticeships in Clean Energy Webinar Series |
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) launched a learning series on registered apprenticeships through its Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network, a national coalition of industry, training, and workforce development leaders seeking to expand and diversify Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in the clean energy industries. Webinars are scheduled on the third Wednesday of every month at 2:00 PM Eastern through November, and each session will focus on a specific aspect of apprenticeships, equipping attendees with the knowledge to develop, implement, and manage successful programs. View all upcoming webinars here.
|
|
|
SMR & Advanced Reactor 2025 |
Reuters Events will host its SMR (Small Modular Reactor) & Advanced Reactor 2025 event in Nashville on May 12-13. The event is a senior-level meeting point for the SMR community and will include over 600 leaders from utilities, financiers, reactor developers, technology providers, and regulators. Attendees will hear case study insights from first movers, learn strategies to successfully navigate regulatory challenges, and hear methods to expedite deployment. Register for the event here.
|
|
|
Save the Date: Nuclear Opportunities Workshop
|
The East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) will host the 2025 Nuclear Opportunities Workshop (NOW) in Knoxville on July 22-23. The event will focus on all things nuclear: fission, fusion, isotopes, environmental management, AI in nuclear, and workforce. NOW is a place to learn about industry developments, opportunities, and advancements in research and technologies. Attendees will network and engage with experts from TVA, U.S. DOE and its contractors; a diverse array of small and large private-industry companies showcasing projects and technological capabilities; and students, interns, and postdocs.
|
|
|
Save the Date: Tennessee Valley Solar + Storage Conference |
The Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association (TenneSEIA) will host its 2025 Tennessee Valley Solar + Storage Conference in Nashville on October 28-30. The focus of the Conference is to bring together people interested in growing solar business opportunities in the Tennessee Valley and 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.
|
|
|
Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap |
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, in partnership with nuclear industry organizations, have launched the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap. The Roadmap aims to enhance career awareness, support pipeline development, identify financial resources, and optimize academic programs at the K-12, vocational and technical school, and university levels. Read the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap Synopsis here.
|
|
|
Conservation Guidance for Utility-Scale Solar Projects |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture created a guide that includes natural-resource conservation principles and practices for all phases of a utility-scale solar project to protect agricultural production potential on farmland. The guide includes sections on vegetation management, livestock considerations, wildlife considerations, and mitigation of wildfires and other disturbances. A high-level summary of conservation considerations for solar farms is also available.
|
|
|
|
Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance Newsletter |
|
|
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
|
Acknowledgement: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) under the State Energy Program Award Number DE-SE0001095.
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.
| | |
|
|
