About the Tennessee Volunteer Emission Reduction Strategy (TVERS)

Phase I: Planning 

In the planning phase of TVERS, TDEC developed two statewide action plans that prioritize actions to reduce GHG emissions and harmful air pollution. These plans were developed in consultation with relevant stakeholder groups, including state agencies, local governments, private industry, nonprofit organizations, and the public. The key deliverables developed in this phase include: 

• Priority Plan (submitted to EPA March 2024): focused on near-term, high-priority, implementation-ready measures to reduce GHG pollution and an analysis of GHG emissions reductions that would be achieved through implementation.
• Comprehensive Plan (submitted to EPA November 2025): a comprehensive plan that identified significant GHG sources/sinks and sectors present in the state, established near-term and long-term GHG emission reduction goals, and provided strategies and identify measures to achieve those goals. 
• Status Report (due to EPA summer 2027): a summary of the progress made in the implementation of the emissions reduction measures outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. 

Phase II: Implementation

Implementation grants were awarded by EPA through a competitive process to governmental entities included in or covered by a plan developed in Phase I. TDEC was not awarded funding during this phase.