Page 26 - Jan/Feb2017

TDEC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Governor’s Environmental Stewardship
Award Nominations

The Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards are the most prestigious environ-
mental and conservation awards in the state. Marking the 31st year, the awards have been presented
to local governments, individuals, organizations, and educational institutions making significant
contributions to the protection and improvement of Tennessee’s natural resources and wildlife.

The awards are designed to bring about a greater knowledge and awareness of effective practices
and projects and to give proper recognition to those persons and organizations that make
outstanding contributions to the natural resources of their community and the state.

Nominations are being accepted until March 31, 2017. More information is available at www.tn.gov/environment.

Clean Tennessee Energy Grants

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau recently announced that $1.5 million is
available in grant funding for clean energy projects statewide. The sixth round of funding will include specific eligibility criteria to
purchase, install and construct environmental mitigation projects.

The Clean Tennessee Energy Grant program provides financial assistance to municipal governments, county governments, utility
districts and other entities created by statute. Criteria include projects that reduce air emissions, improve energy efficiency and create
cost savings including projects focused on:
• Cleaner alternative energy – biomass, geothermal, solar, wind;
• Energy conservation – lighting, HVAC improvements, improved fuel efficiency, insulation, idling minimization;
• Air quality improvement – reduction in greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, oxides of nitrogen,

hazardous air pollutants.
Funding preference will be given to distressed counties identified by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community
Development and counties that have not previously received CTEG funding. Additionally, projects must have a simple payback of less
than 10 years on the entire project budget.
More information is available at www.tn.gov/environment.

26 TPW January/February 2017