Haslam, TDEC Award Nearly $2 Million for Clean Energy Projects
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau today announced that $1.9 million has been awarded to 24 communities for clean energy projects, including 11 distressed counties.
“Clean Tennessee Energy Grants help our communities reduce costs, increase savings, waste less energy and promote clean air,” said Haslam. “I appreciate the efforts of these grant recipients whose work will continue to make Tennessee a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
The Clean Tennessee Energy Grant (CTEG) program provides financial assistance to municipal governments, county governments, utility districts and other entities created by statute. Awarded projects have demonstrated a plan to reduce air emissions, improve energy efficiency and create cost savings.
Two counties, Macon and DeKalb, in the Upper Cumberland region were included in the grant:
Macon County – $64,835
Improve efficiency of the County Courthouse, Criminal Justice Center, Sally Wells Fairground Building, and the EMS building in Lafayette. Replace lighting in the courthouse project to LEDs, resulting in an estimated savings of 49,206 kWh and $6,321 annually. Replace lighting in the Justice Center to LEDs, resulting in an savings of 173,299 kWh and $22,262 annually. Replace lighting in the EMS building to LEDs, resulting in an estimated savings of 84,834 kWh and $10,898 annually. Replace lighting in the Fairground Building to LEDs, resulting in an estimated savings of 30,228 kWh and $3,234 annually.
DeKalb County – $18,925
Retrofit lighting fixtures in the County Courthouse to LEDs, resulting in an estimated savings of 43,749 kWh and $5,955 annually. Convert lighting fixtures in the County Jail to LEDs, resulting in an estimated savings of 51,132 kWh or $5,319 annually.
Projects specifically focus on:
- Cleaner alternative energy – biomass, geothermal, solar, wind; and
- Energy conservation – lighting, HVAC improvements, improved fuel efficiency, insulation, idling minimization.
These projects will help improve air quality by reducing sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, oxides of nitrogen, hazardous air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
“We were pleased to offer this round of grant funding to communities that have not received support before or are identified as distressed by the Department of Economic and Community Development,” said Martineau. “From more cost-effective lighting systems to efficient heating and air units, these awards will enhance service to customers while minimizing operating costs for these entities, saving taxpayer dollars.”
Funding preference was given to distressed counties identified by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and counties that have not previously received CTEG funding. Twenty of the grantees have not received CTEG funding before. Additionally, awarded projects must have a simple payback of less than 10 years.
Funding comes from a 2011 Clean Air Act settlement with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Under the Consent Decree, Tennessee received $26.4 million to fund clean air programs in the state.
