Department of Environment & Conservation
Jim Fyke, Commissioner

 

 

General Energy Information | K-12 Schools | Business & Government |
Homeowners | Renewable Energy Resources

I. General Energy Information

Through grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Energy Division in the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development 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.

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) is not-for-profit, non-partisan organization working with citizens for clean air, clean water and healthy communities in the Southeast by advancing energy efficiency and sustainable energy policies, promoting
clean energy technologies and holding polluters to higher standards.

ENERGY STAR is a program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program's goal is to help businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA), created by Congress in 1977, is a statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Energy. EIA provides policy-independent data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.

The Renewable Energy Policy Project and Southern energy advocacy groups received foundation grants to prepare Powering the South, "a clean and affordable energy plan for the Southern United States". The report covers six Southern states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The purpose of this website is to allow a free flow of ideas between communities in the six state region. The site contains the entire Powering the South report, and frequently updated information on clean energy activities in the South.

The Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) is a nonprofit interstate compact organization created in 1960. The Board's mission is to enhance economic development and the quality of life in the South through innovations in energy and environmental programs and technologies. SSEB and the Southern Governor's Association prepared a September 2001 report on Energy Policy in the South.

II. K-12 Schools

Tennessee Energy Education Network (TEEN) develops, disseminates and implements energy education programs for K-12 schools statewide. The network provides classroom presentations, in-service training workshops for teachers, free materials, a bimonthly newsletter, and annual contests and awards. TEEN Is a project of the Energy Division in the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Kids can learn all about electricity production and ways of saving energy at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) site, TvaKids.Com. They'll also find information about electrical safety at home and outdoors, clean-water activities, and much more.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA), created by Congress in 1977, is a statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Energy. EIA provides policy-independent data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. EIA's Kid Page includes extensive energy facts and definitions, games, education resources and other information.

The Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security. Schools spend more on energy than on computers and textbooks combined. This website contains information to make schools more energy efficient, and to provide multidisciplinary, hands-on educational activities. This site contains information on green schools, energy lesson plans and new school construction.

EnergySmart Schools (ESS) is an integral and active part of the Rebuild America program that is committed to building a nation of schools that are smart about every aspect of energy. This includes providing information on energy efficient solutions for school bus transportation, conducting successful building projects and teaching about energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

III. Business and Government

ENERGY STAR is a program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program's goal is to help businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. This page provides information on how businesses can improve their energy performance, protect the environment and save money.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy has two energy efficiency websites designed for business organizations. The first site is designed for business owners and operators and provides hands-on solutions to improve Your profits and productivity. The second site is focused on commercial and institutional buildings (e.g., office buildings, retail complexes, convention centers, hospitals, community centers, and schools).

IV. Homeowners

The Tennessee Valley Authority and electricity distributors have developed the Energy Right Program. This program is designed to help homeowners save money and gain efficiency in their home energy usage.

ENERGY STAR is a program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program's goal is to help businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. This page provides information on solving common energy problems in the home.

The Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security. The Alliance has posted this brochure, Power$mart: Tips to Save Money and the Planet, on its web site. The brochure's Power$mart Tips highlight efficient technologies and approaches, while its Energy Consciousness Tips provide the best energy-saving conservation behaviors.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy has an Energy Savers web site with tips on saving energy and money at home. This information shows the consumers how easy it is to reduce your home energy use. It is a guide to easy, practical solutions for saving energy throughout your home, from the insulating system that surrounds it to the appliances and lights inside.

IV. Renewable Energy Resources

TVA and local public power companies, working with input from the environmental community, have created a program called Green Power Switch® to produce green power--electricity generated by cleaner, renewable resources such as solar, wind, and methane gas-- and add it to the Tennessee Valley's power mix. Green Power Switch is a renewable energy initiative that offers consumers in the Tennessee Valley a choice in the type of power they buy. Green Power Switch is sold to residential consumers in 150-kilowatt-hour blocks (about 12 percent of a typical household's monthly energy use). Each block adds $4 to the customer's monthly power bills. Consumers can buy as many blocks as they like. Green Power Switch is also marketed to commercial and industrial consumers, who are asked to buy blocks based on the amount of energy they use.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy has a web site for the Green Power Network. The Green Power Network (GPN) provides news and information on green power markets and related activities. You will find up-to-date information on green power providers, product offerings, consumer issues, and in-depth analyses of issues and policies affecting green power markets.

The Renewable Energy Policy Project's goal is to accelerate the use of renewable energy by providing credible information, insightful policy analysis, and innovative strategies amid changing energy markets and mounting environmental needs by researching, publishing, and disseminating information, creating policy tools, and hosting highly active, on-line, renewable energy discussion groups.