Clean Tennessee Energy Grant (CTEG)

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Map depicts 2012-2019 Clean Tennessee Energy Grant Funding for external projects awarded funding by county, internal projects awarded funding by county, state park projects awarded funding by county, and the total funding awarded per county. The map's default view is total funding awarded per county. To view the different funding categories by county, click the arrow in the upper left hand corner of the map and select the checkbox next to the funding category you would like to view.

In 2011, Tennessee and three other states were part of a Federal court settlement of an enforcement action under the Federal Clean Air Act that resulted in a consent decree with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). A part of the Consent Decree obligated TVA to provide Tennessee $26.4 million to fund environmental mitigation projects over a 5 year period or longer. 

The Department of Environment and Conservation was designated by Governor Bill Haslam as the lead state agency to develop and manage a process for selection and implementation of the environmental mitigation projects for Tennessee.

The purpose of the Clean Tennessee Energy Grant Program was to select and fund projects that best resulted in a reduction of emissions and pollutants identified below. The Clean Tennessee Energy Program provided financial assistance to municipal government, county government, utility districts, and other entities created by statute (e.g. airport authority) in Tennessee to purchase, install, and construct energy projects that fit into one of the following eligible project categories:

  • Cleaner Alternative Energy: biomass, geothermal, solar, wind;
  • Energy Conservation: Lighting, HVAC improvements, improved fuel efficiency, insulation, idling minimization; and,
  • Air Quality Improvement: Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), and Greenhouse Gases

Between fiscal year 2011 and 2017, grantees significantly decreased harmful air pollutants through innovations in the built environment by integrating renewable energy technology and efficiency measures into new-builds and rehabilitation projects. Most grantees anticipate payback periods – the amount of money saved per year until the cost of the project is recouped – ranging from one to ten years on these innovative measures.

Over the period of six years a total of 133 grants were given across the state totaling over $13.6 million with the rest of the grant money obligated to State facilities.

Additionally:

  • Grantees save an estimated $3.1 million annually as a result of these energy efficiency projects.
  • Grantee projects have realized the reduction of energy demands by more than 33.6 million kilowatt-hours (kWh).
  • Grantee projects have reduced CO2 emissions by more than 26,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e).