Four Tennessee colleges and universities are working with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and local power companies to promote and implement a new energy efficiency program for campuses, according to a TVA announcement January 28, 2012. The participating campuses will receive funding for projects and staff, consulting support from Willdan Energy Solutions, energy audit training and a web-based energy tracking tool to help measure and document the energy savings resulting from projects.

EnergyRight Solutions for Higher Education helps colleges and universities understand and track their campus energy use and educate the next generation of energy consumers to make smart energy choices through hands-on projects and additions to existing curriculum.

The four campuses selected are the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Cleveland State Community College, East Tennessee State University and Maryville College.

Each location will work with campus sustainability leaders, mostly students, to select projects that will achieve energy savings and promote awareness of energy efficiency.  The projects will be implemented by student interns who will be paid a stipend by TVA.

“I am delighted that TVA has selected UT to participate,” said Gordie Bennett, Sustainability manager at UT-Knoxville. “Students bring a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm to the table, and their ideas have fueled many campus sustainability initiatives.”

The efforts at these four participants are part of TVA’s overall strategy for improving energy efficiency on campuses. Six campuses are saving energy as a result of their work with TVA and the Alliance to Save Energy since fall 2011. Additional energy efficiency programs will begin soon, or are already underway, across the TVA service area.

The full text of TVA's press release can be found on their web page.