Energy Efficient Schools Initiative - Grants

November 18, 2022

Summary

The Energy Efficient Schools Initiative was created in May 2008 to provide grants and loans to Tennessee school systems for capital outlay projects that meet energy efficient design and technology guidelines for school facilities. Schools should apply for a pre installation visit and equipment commissioning, then invoice for grant payment as they receive vendor and contractor bills. All school systems in Tennessee are eligible to apply. Possible projects include lighting upgrades, HVAC upgrades, and other projects that meet pre-determined energy use objectives.

State government appropriated the original funding ($90 million) with a onetime transfer from the Lottery for Education Account reserve and Lottery for Education special reserve account for K-12 capital outlay. Additional money to the fund comes from interest earnings and other funds secured by the Energy Efficient Schools Council. The Council is administratively part of the Department of Education.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Financial Incentive
State:	Tennessee
Incentive Type:	Grant Program
Web Site:	http://www.tn.gov/eesi/finance_inc.shtml
Administrator:	Energy Efficient Schools Initiative
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Geothermal Heat Pumps Lighting Lighting Controls/Sensors Chillers Furnaces Boilers Heat pumps Air conditioners Programmable Thermostats Energy Mgmt. Systems/Building Controls Motors Motor VFDs Custom/Others pending approval Other EE Food Service Equipment Commercial Refrigeration Equipment
Incentive Amount:	Varies by technology
Maximum Incentive:	Varies by school district; districts are eligible for grants representing up to a maximum of $22/student.

Authorities

Name:	Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-17-101 et seq.
Date Enacted:	05/20/2008
Effective Date:	07/01/2008

Contact

Name:	EESI Program Administrator
Organization:	Energy Efficient Schools Initative
Address:	710 James Robertson Parkway Nashville TN 37243
Phone:	(615) 532-8273
Email:	eesi.admin@tn.gov

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.