Page 20 - Jan/Feb2017

CHATTANOOGA By Patrick Lindsey
Southeastern Surge in Sustainability

The partnership between the Electric sustainable electricity to the citizens of known LEED certification for building
Power Board, Greenspaces, and the Chattanooga by the U.S. Green Building construction.
City of Chattanooga has fostered Council, when they were awarded
some of the most innovative ideas and the PEER certification. The PEER Chattanooga did so well with the
programs found in the country. The certification is a graded point system that PEER certification that they received
EPB has revolutionized the way utilities provides a comprehensive framework for 294.3 points, which is an impressive 44.3
handle their business and the services assessing the sustainable performance points over the minimum certification
that they provide their customers. This of an electricity delivery system design requirement. The program’s overall
innovation has led to the EPB being the and operation. The PEER certification efficiency and the introduction of
first major utility to receive the PEER is modeled after the more commonly sustainable, renewable energy into
certification. An innovative non-profit, their electric grid have saved around
Greenspaces, has harnessed EPB’s data
to create a program called Empower.
The program educates people in low-
income neighborhoods about energy
conservation as well as simple steps to
saving money. Both of these programs
have catapulted Chattanooga into one of
the most sustainable cities in the United
States.

The EPB’s smart grid is ensuring that
residents are receiving consistent and
reliable power every day through their
sophisticated electricity delivery system.
Recently, the EPB was recognized for
its commitment to provide reliable,

20 TPW January/February 2017