Citizen's Portal

In the Office of External Affairs, we take public service seriously. OEA is a primary point of contact for citizens on all things TDEC. We empathize, and we make sure to get to the root of your question or concern. We have found the following webpages to be the most requested resources by the general public:

TDEC Terms & Acronyms

State Government in general and TDEC specifically is full of acronyms and industry specific terms. At the Office of External Affairs, we try to translate this jargon into real talk. This page is an attempt to translate that for you into standard language.

Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (SSDS)

File an online application for a new septic system or a repair. Locate a system on an existing home. Find a licensed septic system installer or septic tank pumper.  

Vehicle Inspections

Vehicle Inspection Program Has Ended.

Tennessee Radon Program

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soils. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is often required as part of real estate transactions. TDEC provides free, do-it-yourself test kits to residents through a federal grant in limited supplies from the website.

Bureau of Conservation

Discover Tennessee’s natural, cultural and historic heritage. Our 56 state parks offer diverse and varied natural landscapes, family-friendly recreational activities affordable and varied lodging accommodations, volunteer opportunities and hundreds of interpretive programs and events.  

Drive Electric Tennessee

Drive Electric Tennessee is comprised of a workgroup of core stakeholders who collaborated to establish the first edition of the electric vehicle roadmap for the state.  They established a mission to have 200,000 EVs on Tennessee roads by 2028. Along with this mission, the team is working to establish regional EV chapters.

Environmental Education

On this page you will find free educational materials for learners of all ages highlighting environmental topics developed by TDEC, as well as links to educational materials focused on the environment and related topics developed by our partners and other organizations.

Public Records Request

The Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA) grants Tennessee citizens the right to access records made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental entity that exist at the time of the request. The TPRA does not require records custodians to compile information or create or recreate records that do not exist. Please check out other online databases before submitting a request.

Ask TDEC Questions

Submit your questions to TDEC. Questions from the media can be submitted here, but they will likely be answered more quickly if sent directly to TDEC’s communications team.

TDEC Newsletters

Each External Affairs Regional Director produces a monthly or quarterly newsletter with helpful information for stakeholders in that particular region. In addition, the Office of Communications produces a monthly newsletter for the Department. Sign up here.