ECD Announces $1.1 Million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
Third Round of Grants Awarded to 12 Tennessee Cities and Counties
NASHVILLE –The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced today that 12 additional Tennessee cities and counties were awarded approximately $1.1 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG). Communities receiving grants include: Bethel Springs, Chester County, Collegedale, Decherd, Elkton, Huntsville, Munford, Roane County, Sequatchie County, Somerville, Troy and Washington County. Project descriptions and amounts are listed below.
These communities join 134 other Tennessee cities and counties who were awarded $13 million in EECBG grants in 2010. The grants will enable communities to implement cost-effective strategies which reduce total energy expenses and save taxpayer money through improved energy efficiency in buildings and transportation systems, creating an estimated 10 new jobs in the process.
“The benefits of the EECBG grants are important to Tennessee and the communities receiving the grants,” Molly Cripps, director, Energy Division, ECD, said. “It is a boost to our state’s energy efficiency efforts, allows communities to reduce energy consumption and cut costs, and creates jobs for Tennesseans.”
The grants will fund a variety of energy efficiency and conservation programs in local communities across the state, including retrofits of the lighting, HVAC, window and insulation of many existing government buildings. Other communities will install remote read water meters and renewable energy systems, including a geothermal heating and cooling system.
The third round of the EECBG program is expected to produce nearly 2.5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy savings annually, resulting in a cost-savings of approximately $225 thousand per year for Tennessee communities. The grants will also allow installers and retrofitters to gain valuable training and experience which will serve private sector companies as they expand their energy efficiency programs.
A complete list of cities and counties chosen along with the amount awarded and a brief description of each project is attached. The 12 recipients were chosen from a pool of 38 applications, representing 12 Tennessee counties. For more information on the EECBG program in Tennessee visit http://tn.gov/ecd/recovery/eecbg.html.
Applications were scored on the local government’s overall conservation strategy, project feasibility, readiness to proceed, community impact, partnerships and the ability to extend funding impact beyond a one-time use.
The EECBG grants were funded out of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd.
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EECBG Grantees
City or County
Amount
Project Description
1
Bethel Springs
$ 100,000.00
Remote read water meters, data reading system, computer systems, and training
2
Chester County
$ 100,000.00
Solar array system at Criminal Justice Complex
3
Collegedale
$ 100,000.00
HVAC units and lighting at 3 city buildings
4
Decherd
$ 39,400.00
HVAC units and lighting at 5 city buildings
5
Elkton
$ 25,664.00
HVAC units, lighting, windows, and insulation at City Hall
6
Huntsville
$ 100,000.00
HVAC units, lighting, windows, doors, insulation, and fire doors at 2 city buildings
7
Munford
$ 100,000.00
HVAC units and lighting at 2 city buildings and LED traffic lights
8
Roane County
$ 100,000.00
HVAC units, ductwork, controls, and thermostats at Courthouse
9
Sequatchie County
$ 100,000.00
HVAC units and lighting at Courthouse and 3 county schools
10
Somerville
$ 100,000.00
Lighting at 5 city buildings, HVAC units at City Hall, and windows and doors at Fire Dept.
11
Troy
$ 79,500.00
Geothermal system at Fire Station
12
Washington County
$ 100,000.00
Lighting in 6 county buildings
Contact: Valerie Somerville, ECD
Office: (615) 532-1925
Email: valerie.somerville@tn.gov