Energy Resources

2020 Assessment of the Energy Sector in Tennessee

In November 2020, the University of Tennessee’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy compiled an assessment of Tennessee’s energy landscape at the direction of the State Energy Policy Council. This report provides information on several statewide energy indicators, including energy flows and consumption, natural resource base and production of energy, energy-related employment and economic development, and energy and health.

ACEEE Local Policy Toolkit

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) developed the Local Policy Toolkit to provide local policymakers, program managers, and community stakeholders with guidance on energy planning, community resiliency planning, government-utility partnership strategies, and more.

Better Buildings

Through Better Buildings, U.S. DOE partners with leaders in the public and private sectors to make the nation’s homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants more energy efficient. Better Buildings also hosts the U.S. DOE Better Buildings Challenge, where leading businesses, manufacturers, cities, states, universities, and school districts commit to improving the energy efficiency of their building portfolio by at least 20% over 10 years. Finally, Better Buildings creates and hosts several popular energy toolkits for public reference; each toolkit contains guidance, resources, and proven best practices for overcoming common barriers to building energy financing, technology implementation, data management, and more.

Better Plants

Through Better Plants, the nation’s leading manufacturers and water utilities partner with U.S. DOE to improve their energy efficiency and competitiveness in the industrial sector, saving money in the process. In its latest 2019 Progress Update, Better Plants reports that more than 220 organizations have cumulatively saved $6.7 billion in energy costs and more than 1.3 quadrillion British thermal units in energy consumed since the program’s inception in 2012. Better Plants provides its members with data support (including energy consumption baselining), technical assistance (including field validation and diagnostic equipment), and other resources designed to help track and manage a business’s energy consumption.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)

DSIRE is a comprehensive archive of incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University and is funded by U.S. DOE. When using DSIRE, refer to the original source materials and the individual contact provided below each policy/incentive summary to verify that a specific financial incentive or other policy applies to your project.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Program (EELP)

Pathway Lending administers the EELP low-interest revolving loan fund that assists Tennessee entities in implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. Eligible projects under EELP include, but are not limited to: energy efficient equipment upgrades; lighting; building envelope retrofits; cool roofs; renewable energy installations; and co-generation.

Energy Efficiency Jobs in America

A 2023 Energy Efficiency Jobs in America report examines American employment in energy efficiency and other related sectors. The report also details the number of energy efficiency jobs located in Tennessee’s metropolitan areas, congressional districts, and more. 

ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money through energy efficiency.  ENERGY STAR is best known for its certification of energy efficient consumer products, including kitchen and living appliances, electronics, heating and cooling equipment, building materials, lighting, and more. However, the program also provides guidance on measuring and improving building energy efficiency, for both residential properties as well as commercial and industrial sites.

EnergyRight for Business & Industry

Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) EnergyRight Business & Industry program is offering incentives for energy efficiency improvements.  Business and industry customers are eligible for financial incentives on qualifying equipment purchases to help lower costs and reach energy goals, thanks to a partnership between TVA and local power companies. Incentives are available for a variety of upgrades, including HVAC and variable speed drives, LED lighting, electric forklifts, refrigeration, and thermal ice storage. There is also the possibility of creating a custom incentive. All incentives are contingent upon available funding and are subject to preapproval by TVA EnergyRight and the local power company. To qualify, customers must use a member of TVA’s Quality Contractor Network to install upgrades.

Energy Efficient Schools Initiative (EESI)

Since being established in 2008, with a one-time allotment of $90 million dollars from excess Lottery Funds, EESI has now disbursed over $102.5 million in energy efficient grants and loans to public K-12 schools in the state, and saved schools in excess of $43 million on energy costs. The current EESI Loan Program uses a low-interest revolving loan mechanism to fund energy-efficient projects in Tennessee’s public K-12 schools. To date, the EESI has originated 71 loans totaling $83,013,531 across the state.

Lab Partnering Service (LPS)

LPS is a suite of online applications enabling access to leading experts, innovations, and patents from across the U.S. DOE and the national laboratories. It delivers information to provide access to a portfolio of investment opportunities. The LPS enables fast discovery of expertise and serves as a conduit between the investor and the innovator by providing multi-faceted search capabilities across numerous technology areas.

Low-Income Energy Efficiency Funding Matrix

The Low-Income Energy Efficiency Matrix is a resource tool intended to assist low-income homeowners, affordable housing owners and operators, and organizations or persons who provide technical assistance by directing them to existing energy efficiency programming. To request a copy of the Matrix in Excel format please email TDEC.OEP@tn.gov.

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

REAP provides loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, and associated energy audits. This program helps improve American energy independence by both increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers. 

Rural Utilities Service Electric Program

The Rural Utilities Service Electric Program’s loans and loan guarantees finance the construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, as well as demand side management, energy conservation programs, and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems.

Tennessee Industrial Assessment Centers

Tennessee Industrial Assessment Centers (TN IACs) help manufacturing facilities operate more efficiently while simultaneously educating students in industrial energy assessment. Small and medium sized manufacturers may be eligible for a no-cost energy assessment from the Tennessee IACs. One- or two-day onsite visits focus on major energy-consuming plant equipment such as compressed air, steam systems, process heating and cooling, HVAC, lighting, and more, with the average assessment identifying more than $100,000 in potential energy savings opportunities.

Tennessee Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is a federally funded grant program created by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981. The program aims to assist low income households, primarily those who pay a high proportion of household income on home energy, in meeting their immediate energy needs. In Tennessee, LIHEAP is administered through a network of 19 local agencies that reach all 95 counties. LIHEAP is a one-time assistance offered to help defray heating and cooling expenses, as long as funding is available. LIHEAP assistance does not go directly to the client or applicant; rather, direct payments are made through the LIHEAP agency to the local utility company or energy supplier.

Tennessee Plant Optimization Program (TN POP)

TN POP provides resources to support Tennessee water and wastewater operators in achieving optimization in energy use and nutrient removal for their facilities through low-and-no-cost measures.

Tennessee Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is designed to assist low-income households in reducing their fuel costs while contributing to national energy conservation through increased energy efficiency and consumer education. Households that include young children or elderly or disabled members are given priority for service. Weatherization measures provided can reduce heat loss and energy costs by improving the thermal efficiency of dwelling units occupied by low-income households. Examples of common weatherization measures that may be provided are weather stripping, caulking, and adding of insulation to attics, walls, and floors.

U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

EERE leads U.S. DOE's efforts relating to energy efficiency, renewable power, and sustainable transportation. EERE's vision is a strong and prosperous America that is powered by clean, affordable, and secure energy. To achieve this vision, EERE seeks to: accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable transportation technologies; increase the generation of power from renewable sources; improve the energy efficiency of our homes, buildings, and industries; stimulate the growth of a thriving domestic clean energy manufacturing industry; enable the integration of clean energy into a reliable, resilient, and efficient electricity grid; lead efforts to improve federal sustainability and implementation of clean energy solutions; and enable a high-performing, results-driven culture through effective management approaches and processes. Within EERE are several sector-specific offices including the Advanced Manufacturing Office, the Weatherization and Intergovernmental Affairs Office, and the Building Technologies Office. 

U.S. DOE’s Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Office’s (WIP) Partnerships and Technical Assistance Team (P&TA)

WIP P&TA supports the energy priorities of state and local governments by helping them develop energy plans, pay for energy initiatives, design and implement energy programs, and access and use energy data. P&TA also leads strategic initiatives to replicate successful public sector energy models across the nation via management of several U.S. DOE programs, including the Better Buildings Challenge, the Better Communities Alliance, the Energy Savings Performance Contracting Accelerator, and more.

U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER)

USEER provides state-by-state energy employment analysis for the following sectors: electric power generation and fuel fuels production; transmission, distribution, and storage; energy efficiency; and motor vehicles.

2020 Assessment of the Energy Sector in Tennessee

In November 2020, the University of Tennessee’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy compiled an assessment of Tennessee’s energy landscape at the direction of the State Energy Policy Council. This report provides information on several statewide energy indicators, including energy flows and consumption, natural resource base and production of energy, energy-related employment and economic development, and energy and health.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)

DSIRE is a comprehensive archive of incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University and is funded by U.S. DOE. When using DSIRE, refer to the original source materials and the individual contact provided below each policy/incentive summary to verify that a specific financial incentive or other policy applies to your project.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Program (EELP)

Pathway Lending administers the EELP low-interest revolving loan fund that assists Tennessee entities in implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. Eligible projects under EELP include, but are not limited to: energy efficient equipment upgrades; lighting; building envelope retrofits; cool roofs; renewable energy installations; and co-generation.

Lab Partnering Service (LPS)

LPS is a suite of online applications enabling access to leading experts, innovations, and patents from across the U.S. DOE and the national laboratories. It delivers information to provide access to a portfolio of investment opportunities. The LPS enables fast discovery of expertise and serves as a conduit between the investor and the innovator by providing multi-faceted search capabilities across numerous technology areas.

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

REAP provides loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, and associated energy audits. This program helps improve American energy independence by both increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers. 

Rural Utilities Service Electric Program

The Rural Utilities Service Electric Program’s loans and loan guarantees finance the construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, as well as demand side management, energy conservation programs, and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems.

Sample Solar Easement

This is an example of a solar easement, a written instrument that allows property owners to legally assure adequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems. A typical solar easement establishes certain land use conditions agreed upon by the property owners involved, including restrictions placed upon vegetation, structures, and other objects which may impair or obstruct the passage of sunlight. This type of right is important for property owners looking to install solar power, as it will guarantee adequate energy to receive payback for their system and improve the cost-efficiency of the system.

Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC)

TAEBC champions advanced energy as a job creation and economic development strategy. The organization educates public officials and business leaders about Tennessee’s advanced energy assets, establishes strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and informs policy that expands and strengthens the industry. TAEBC seeks to understand the advanced energy sector’s priorities (users of advanced energy, manufacturers, installers and service providers), share information about the value of this sector with public and private sector leaders, and develop programs that connect and leverage our state’s assets with opportunities to promote Tennessee’s advanced energy economy. TAEBC ultimately seek to turn corporate interest in sustainability into Tennessee jobs.

Tennessee Renewable Energy & Economic Development Council (TREEDC)

TREEDC is a statewide network of 101 city and county mayors and businesses working together to create a path to fast-track renewables in Tennessee. Its mission is to promote and connect renewable energy with economic development and energy efficiency for all Tennessee communities.

Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association (TenneSEIA)

TenneSEIA is the state affiliate for the national Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and represents the interest of the solar energy industry in Tennessee. The mission of TenneSEIA is to make solar energy a mainstream energy source and realize the full potential of the solar industry in Tennessee.

U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

EERE leads U.S. DOE's efforts relating to energy efficiency, renewable power, and sustainable transportation. EERE's vision is a strong and prosperous America that is powered by clean, affordable, and secure energy. To achieve this vision, EERE seeks to: accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable transportation technologies; increase the generation of power from renewable sources; improve the energy efficiency of our homes, buildings, and industries; stimulate the growth of a thriving domestic clean energy manufacturing industry; enable the integration of clean energy into a reliable, resilient, and efficient electricity grid; lead efforts to improve federal sustainability and implementation of clean energy solutions; and enable a high-performing, results-driven culture through effective management approaches and processes. Within EERE are several sector-specific offices including the Solar Technologies Office, the Wind Technologies Office, the Geothermal Technologies Office, and the Water Technologies Office.

U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER)

USEER provides state-by-state energy employment analysis for the following sectors: electric power generation and fuel fuels production; transmission, distribution, and storage; energy efficiency; and motor vehicles. 

Valley Renewable Energy for Business & Industry

The Tennessee Valley Authority offers several opportunities for implementing clean-power strategies for businesses by providing guidance, selling renewable energy certificates, and offering programs that partner with business and industry to implement solar, wind, biogas, and low-impact hydropower generation projects.

2020 Assessment of the Energy Sector in Tennessee

In November 2020, the University of Tennessee’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy compiled an assessment of Tennessee’s energy landscape at the direction of the State Energy Policy Council. This report provides information on several statewide energy indicators, including energy flows and consumption, natural resource base and production of energy, energy-related employment and economic development, and energy and health.

2023 Fuel Economy Guide

Each year, U.S. DOE and EPA collaboratively produce the Fuel Economy Guide to help car buyers choose the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets their needs. The Guide lists both the city and highway fuel mileage estimates for all cars and light trucks as well as associated estimated fuel costs. Additionally, the Guide provides driver operations and maintenance tips to improve any vehicle's fuel economy.

AFLEET Online

The Alternative Fuel Life-Cycle Environmental and Economic Transportation (AFLEET) Tool is an online resource developed by Argonne National Laboratory to examine both the environmental costs and benefits of alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies. The tool helps compare new alternative fuel vehicles to gasoline and diesel vehicles, providing insights on petroleum use, air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, and simple payback and cost of ownership of light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles.

Alternative Fuel Financing Matrix

In August 2019, TDEC OEP and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) held a roundtable discussion on financing mechanisms to support alternative fuel adoption and deployment. As a result of this roundtable, TDEC OEP compiled the Alternative Fuel Financing Matrix, which tracks and summarizes the various financing options available for various alternative fuel vehicles as well as the installation of related fueling or charging infrastructure.

Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)

AFDC provides information, data, and tools to help fleets and other transportation decision makers find ways to reach their energy and economic goals through the use of alternative and renewable fuels, advanced vehicle technologies, and other fuel-saving measures. AFDC features comprehensive information on biodiesel, electric, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, and propane as vehicle fuels and tracks public refueling infrastructure through its industry-leading Alternative Fueling Station Locator.

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program

The CMAQ program provides dedicated federal funding to state Departments of Transportation for projects that improve air quality and reduce congestion. The CMAQ program improves air quality by funding transportation projects and programs that reduce emissions from onroad mobile sources (cars, trucks, buses, etc.) and certain nonroad mobile sources (such as construction equipment and marine or rail projects) in designated air quality nonattainment and maintenance areas. Additionally, the FAST Act establishes priority under CMAQ for electric vehicle and compressed natural gas refueling infrastructure located on Federal Highway Administration-designated alternative fuel vehicle corridors. TDOT oversees CMAQ funding in Tennessee.

Drive Electric Tennessee (DET)

Throughout 2018, a core team of stakeholders--including State agencies (TDEC and TDOT), electric utilities, cities, universities, EV manufacturers, businesses, and advocacy groups--worked together on the development of a shared vision for electric transportation in the state. Together, these stakeholders comprise DET. In January 2019, DET released the first edition of its Electric Vehicle Roadmap for the state. The Roadmap establishes a goal to increase EV adoption to 200,000 EVs by 2028 and identifies projects and initiatives for local stakeholder implementation that will increase EV adoption across multiple use cases and sectors in Tennessee. The various initiatives fall under four broad opportunity areas: Charging Infrastructure, Consumer Awareness, Vehicle Availability, and Supportive Programs and Policies. In November 2019, DET also published its Statewide EV Charging Infrastructure Needs Assessment, which evaluates the condition of Tennessee's current EV charging infrastructure and identifies charging needs and potential geographic charging locations.

Lab Partnering Service (LPS)

LPS is a suite of online applications enabling access to leading experts, innovations, and patents from across the U.S. DOE and the national laboratories. It delivers information to provide access to a portfolio of investment opportunities. The LPS enables fast discovery of expertise and serves as a conduit between the investor and the innovator by providing multi-faceted search capabilities across numerous technology areas.

Multimodal Access Grants

TDOT’s Multimodal Access Grant is a state-funded program created to support the transportation needs of transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists through infrastructure projects that address existing gaps along state routes. Multimodal facilities play an important role in providing transportation choices for people across Tennessee. With half of all trips in the United States being three miles or less, good walking, biking, and transit facilities are essential to the continued growth and success of our towns and cities. Multimodal Access Grant projects are State-funded at 95%, with a 5% local match. Total project costs must not exceed $1 million.

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

REAP provides loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements, including the purchase and installation of private sustainable transportation projects such as solar-assisted electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This program helps improve American energy independence by both increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers.

Rural Utilities Service Electric Program

The Rural Utilities Service Electric Program’s loans and loan guarantees finance the construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, as well as demand side management, energy conservation programs, and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems. Projects funded by this program are integral to the improvement of grid resiliency and efficiency that facilitates electric vehicle charging infrastructure in rural areas.

Tennessee Clean Fuels

Tennessee Clean Fuels advances the state's economic, environmental, and energy security by working to advance affordable, domestic transportation fuels, energy efficient mobility systems, and other fuel-saving technologies and practices. The organization is comprised of two U.S. DOE Clean Cities Coalitions--Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels and East Tennessee Clean Fuels--and provides fleet consultation, public education events, and alternative fuels technical assistance to promote sustainable transportation across the state.

Tennessee Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program / Reducing Diesel Emissions for a Healthier Tennessee (RDE4HT)

East Tennessee Clean Fuels manages the “Reducing Diesel Emissions for a Healthier Tennessee” Rebate Program, which provides funds to Tennessee fleets to replace older, diesel vehicles with either alternative fuel or new diesel vehicles. Funding can also be requested for efforts towards replacing engines in older diesel vehicles with new alternative-fueled or diesel engines, converting OEM diesel vehicles to run on alternative fuels, or the addition of Truck Stop Electrification equipment at Tennessee-based Travel Centers. Funds under this program are provided on an annual basis.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

TDM refers to a set of strategies aimed at reducing the demand for roadway travel, particularly single occupancy vehicles. TDM strategies address a broad variety of constraints related to driving, including traffic congestion, less habitable communities, peak period travel demand, and poor air quality. TDOT is developing a statewide TDM plan and has compiled a list of existing TDM organizations operating in Tennessee.

Transportation Energy Data Book (TEDB)

Produced by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for U.S. DOE's Vehicle Technologies Office, the TEDB is a compendium of data on transportation with an emphasis on energy, emissions, and alternative fuels. TEDB provides statistics and data on a variety of transportation, vehicle class, and alternative fuels items, including vehicles sales trends, average age of vehicle populations, changes in fueling prices, trends in petroleum consumption, summaries of vehicle miles traveled, and more.

U.S. DOE's Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO)

VTO supports research, development, and deployment of efficient and sustainable transportation technologies that will improve energy efficiency, fuel economy, and enable America to use less petroleum. In supporting these technologies, which include advanced batteries and electric drive systems, lightweight materials, advanced combustion engines, alternative fuels, as well as energy efficiency mobility systems, VTO seeks to improve America's energy security, economic vitality, and quality of life.

U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER)

USEER provides state-by-state energy employment analysis for the following sectors: electric power generation and fuel fuels production; transmission, distribution, and storage; energy efficiency; and motor vehicles.

Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust (VW Settlement EMT) - Project Solicitations

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is releasing a series of project solicitations under the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust to fund School Buses, Shuttle and Transit Buses, Medium and Large Trucks, and Light Duty Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment across the state.

2020 Assessment of the Energy Sector in Tennessee

In November 2020, the University of Tennessee’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy compiled an assessment of Tennessee’s energy landscape at the direction of the State Energy Policy Council. This report provides information on several statewide energy indicators, including energy flows and consumption, natural resource base and production of energy, energy-related employment and economic development, and energy and health.

Energy Efficiency Jobs in America

A 2023 Energy Efficiency Jobs in America report examines American employment in energy efficiency and other related sectors. The report also details the number of energy efficiency jobs located in Tennessee’s metropolitan areas, counties, and more. 

Tennessee Advanced Energy Economic Impact Report

The 2021 Tennessee Advanced Energy Economic Impact Report details the scale and scope of the state’s advanced energy sector, quantifies its economic impact, and charts new trends in advanced energy. The report pinpoints the number of jobs and businesses associated with advanced energy as well as the sector’s contributions to state GDP and state/local taxes. 

U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER)

USEER provides state-by-state energy employment analysis for the following sectors: electric power generation and fuel fuels production; transmission, distribution, and storage; energy efficiency; and motor vehicles.