The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) awarded 64 schools across six states in the southeast region grants ranging from $10,00 to $410,000 through the energy company’s School Uplift program, with 37 of the recipient schools in Tennessee.
TVA’s School Uplift program “supports public schools in the region by offering energy efficiency training and grants that reduce energy costs and improve the quality of the learning environment.”
The amounts awarded to each school depended on how much energy waste each school cut through energy-saving practices taught through TVA’s energy efficiency training. The grant distribution was also based on an assessment of each school’s facilities to determine which buildings could achieve the greatest energy savings.
The grants, according to TVA, are meant for schools to invest in “much-needed energy upgrades to improve the learning environment,” such as LED lighting or high-efficiency appliances.
Coleman School in Memphis, Highland Elementary School in Greeneville, and Madisonville Intermediate School in Madisonville were the three schools in Tennessee that received the largest grant amount of $410,000.
The remaining recipient schools in Tennessee were awarded grants of $10,000 or $25,000.
“For nearly 90 years, TVA and our 153 local power company partners have worked to make a positive impact on the communities we serve, and our children are our most important asset,” Monika Beckner, vice president of TVA Energy Services & Programs, said in a statement. “Making classrooms healthier and more comfortable for both students and teachers helps give every child the opportunity to succeed. We’re inspired by the winners of this year’s School Uplift grants and proud of their dedication to reducing energy waste and building a sustainable future for us all.”
This round of grants contributes to TVA’s total investment of $7.28 million so far in its School Uplift program. The State of Tennessee’s Energy Efficient Schools Initiative has partnered with TVA and invested $1.86 million in School Uplift to support Tennessee schools.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Highland Elementary School” by Highland Elementary School: A Leadership Academy.
