Department of
Economic & Community Development
Matthew Kisber, Commissioner

Governor Phil Bredesen’s record of environmental preservation and his commitment to sustainability began long before he was elected governor. An avid outdoorsman, he was instrumental in the creation of the Land Trust for Tennessee in 1998 and as the state’s chief executive developed the unique partnership between Oak Ridge National Lab, the University of Tennessee and the state of Tennessee aimed at moving research forward in the development of cellulosic ethanol made from products outside the food chain. That effort laid the groundwork for the U.S. Department of Energy to name Oak Ridge National Lab one of three national biofuels research centers in 2007.

One of the state of Tennessee’s boldest moves came in March 2008 when Governor Bredesen signed Executive Order 54, establishing the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy. The group pulls together leading voices from across the state in the areas of conservation, technology, education, government and research to develop strategies for aggressively moving Tennessee to the forefront of renewable energy development and environmental sustainability.

The Task Force will make policy recommendations about ways government, as the largest consumer of energy in the state, can reduce its carbon footprint. Understanding that a whole new generation of technologies will be created as U.S. corporations seek to reduce costs through reduction of energy consumption, the Task Force seeks to position Tennessee as a leader in the development of “green jobs” and to use our state’s nationally recognized business climate as an incubator for environmentally friendly innovation.

Through grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, Tennessee’s Office of Energy Policy provides a broad range of energy efficiency programs to business and industry, state and local governments, schools and residential consumers. All programs focus on energy efficiency measures and promote energy cost and dollar savings. These technical and financial assistance programs and services have helped implement projects that reduce energy bills, improve facilities and increase productivity. 

For more information about the Tennessee Office of Energy Policy, call (615) 741-2994.