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TDEC Announces Sustainable Transportation Awards Initiative Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau announces the launch of the TDEC Sustainable Transportation Awards initiative to recognize outstanding and voluntary achievements by governments, businesses, industries, public and private institutions of higher learning, and utilities that demonstrate leadership in advancing sustainable transportation in the State. “According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, transportation accounts for nearly 30% of Tennessee’s end-use energy consumption,” Martineau said. “By recognizing thought leaders in this field, we hope to inspire replication of innovative projects, activities, and initiatives across the State in an effort to save natural resources, improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans, and create efficiencies in the delivery of goods and services.” The TDEC Sustainable Transportation Awards cover 8 broad categories: on-site transportation; off-site transportation; incorporation of sustainable transportation in the supply chain; employee incentive or engagement programs; public transportation; technological or operational innovations; and infrastructure development. Entities eligible to apply for the TDEC Sustainable Transportation Awards include: federal, state and local governments; commercial and industrial organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; and utilities. Self-nominations are encouraged. A panel of judges representing diverse interests will select award recipients based on criteria including on-the-ground achievement, innovation, transferability, and public education and outreach. In connection with Clean Air Month, TDEC will host a recognition ceremony and sustainable transportation forum on May 7, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee.
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TDEC Opens Applications for Energy Education Camps The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs announces that applications are currently available online for the 2015 K-12 Energy Education Camps. The four-day educational sessions will provide K-12 educators with information and resources needed to teach the science of energy and energy conservation in the classroom. “Energy conservation efforts reduce costs and emissions, enhancing the quality of life for Tennesseans,” said Molly Cripps, TDEC’s director of energy programs. “This is an important message to pass along to the next generation of energy consumers from both an environmental and economic standpoint.” While a school may be represented by one educator, it is highly recommended that teams of two educators from a school attend the camp and work together to develop and conduct an energy education program. K-12 educators are invited to apply for one of the following two camps: - Pickwick Landing State Park in Hardin County, June 9-12, or,
- Fall Creek Falls State Park in Van Buren and Bledsoe Counties, June 16-19
Teams selected to participate in Energy Camp will be provided with complementary lodging and meals and will receive energy-related classroom materials valued at $200. Applications are available online at http://www.tn.gov/environment/energy_education.shtml and are due by April 10, 2015. At Energy Camp, educators will participate in learning activities that make energy tangible and fun. The camp will include sessions with classroom activities divided into grade clusters of K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 to accommodate grade-specific learning and include age-appropriate instructional methods. Educators will leave Energy Camp with increased background knowledge of the science of energy, energy conservation, and clean energy technology, and be prepared to involve students in service learning projects that promote environmental stewardship in their schools and communities. The TDEC Office of Energy Program’s K-12 Energy Education Camps are funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy‘s State Energy Program. For more information, contact the Energy Hotline at 800-342-1340, or email Angela McGee at angela.mcgee@tn.gov.
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REMINDER: Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards Each year, the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards (GESA) recognize outstanding and voluntary achievements by individuals, businesses, organizations, educational institutions and agencies that demonstrate leadership in environmental protection and conservation. Award categories include Building Green, Clean Air, Energy and Renewable Resources, Environmental Education and Outreach, Land Use, Materials Management, Natural Heritage, Sustainable Performance, and Robert Starks Walker Lifetime Achievement. Any individual, business, organization, educational institution or agency is eligible, provided they are located in Tennessee. Projects must also have been completed during the 2014 calendar year. All nominees must have a minimum of three consecutive years in overall environmental compliance with the Department of Environment and Conservation. Self-nominations are encouraged. A panel of judges representing agricultural, conservation, forestry, environmental and academic professionals will select award recipients based on criteria including on-the-ground achievement, innovation, and public education.
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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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TDOT Announces Competitive Funding for 2015 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has announced that it is accepting applications for funding under the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) for 2015. This year, TDOT will implement a series of strategic initiatives to reduce congestion and improve Tennessee’s air quality by supporting development and delivery of projects in the following categories: General Call for CMAQ Project Proposals, such as alternative fuel projects, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, public education and outreach, public transportation improvements, traffic flow improvements, and travel demand management. Funding is primarily limited to projects associated with Tennessee counties that are designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as federal air quality nonattainment or maintenance areas: Anderson, Blount, Cocke (partial), Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Montgomery, Roane (partial), Rutherford, Sevier, Shelby, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson. Projects in counties outside of designated air quality nonattainment or maintenance areas may be eligible for funding if the project applicant can demonstrate that the project will result in air quality benefits in a nonattainment or maintenance county. Most project require a 20% match from recipients.
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REMINDER: USDA Announces New Round of Funding for Rural Energy America Program (REAP) On December 29, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a Notice of Funding Announcement for the agency’s Rural Energy America Program (REAP), which is designed to help “agricultural producers and rural small businesses” with reducing their energy consumption and costs and meeting more of their energy needs through renewable sources. Under REAP, USDA offers two types of funding assistance: (1) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Assistance and (2) Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants. Eligible projects include: the purchase, installation, and construction of renewable energy systems; energy efficiency improvements to commercial buildings and facilities; use of renewable energy technologies that reduce energy use; and participation in energy audits and renewable energy development studies. USDA is hosting a series of online training and applicant assistance workshops for the (REAP) grant and loan guarantee program. These customized workshops are ideal for rural small business owners, agricultural producers, lenders, rural electric cooperatives, and energy resource providers that are interested in learning more about financial assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The next workshops have been scheduled for the following dates and times: Renewable Energy Systems Wednesday, March 11, 2015 1:00PM Central Standard Time Dial In: Toll-Free (888) 669-0685 Project Finance (Guaranteed Loans) Thursday, April 2, 2015 1:00PM Central Standard Time Dial In: Toll-Free (888) 669-0676 The first round of REAP funding applications are due April 30, 2015. Agricultural producers or qualifying small businesses interested in applying for REAP funding are encouraged to contact Pamela Crozier, USDA’s State Specialist/Energy Coordinator for Tennessee. Ms. Crozier can be reached at Pamela.Crozier@tn.usda.gov or 615-783-1367.
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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| Nashville to Host National Energy Codes Conference
The U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Office has chosen Nashville as the site for its National Energy Codes Conference, which is taking place March 23-26, 2015. Additional details, including registration information, a preliminary agenda, the application for the Jeffrey A. Johnson Award, and more are available on the conference webpage.
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Tennessee Environmental Conference
Registration is open for the 14 th Annual Tennessee Environmental Conference, which is taking place March 16-18 at Meadowview Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport, Tennessee. The theme of this year’s conference is “Improving Our Health and Environment Through Smart Choices.” Topics include Environment, Industry, Health, Innovation, Energy, and Sustainability. David Golden, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary for Eastman Chemical Company has been named the keynote speaker. For more information and to register, visit http://www.tnenvironment.com.
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Energy and Environment Lecture Series at UT Baker Center in Knoxville
Phil Sharp, President of Resources for the Future, will deliver keynote remarks on Tuesday, April 28 at 3:00pm as part of the University of Tennessee's Howard H. Jr. Baker Center for Public Policy's Energy and Environment Lecture Series. For more information, visit the UT-Baker Center's website.
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Environmental Show of the South Sponsored by TDEC’s Division of Solid Waste Management, the Environmental Show of the South is the largest and most comprehensive environmental conference and tradeshow in the region. Its goal is to provide high-quality, low-cost environmental training as well as updates on government/industry developments and trends, with a particular focus on solid and hazardous waste issues. The 44th annual event will be held April 22-24, 2015 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. For more information and to register, visit http://www.tn.gov/environment/solid-waste/solid-waste_conference.shtml.
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Save the Date for the Tennessee Gas Association’s “CNG Across Tennessee” Rally On May 18-22, 2015, the Tennessee Gas Association (TGA) is holding a statewide Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle rally to showcase CNG vehicles and technologies. The rally will hold stops at fueling stations in Memphis, Trenton, Nashville, Athens, and Sevierville. For more information on the “CNG Across Tennessee” Rally as well as other TGA events and resources, visit www.tngas.org.
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