The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation 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. 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. The minimum grant request is $5,000 and the maximum grant request is $250,000, with a 50% match or better from the applicant.
The Clean Tennessee Energy Grant (CTEG) 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.
Funding for the projects comes from a 2011 Clean Air Act settlement with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Under the Consent Decree, Tennessee received $26.4 million to fund clean air programs in the state. The funding schedule is as follows:
- February 28, 2017: Pre-Proposal submission deadline
- March 24, 2017: Full proposals (by invitation only) contacted for additional items
- April 21, 2017: Full proposal supplemental information submission deadline
- Fall 2017: Announcement of recipients
Eligibility Criteria
Municipal governments, county governments, utility districts and other entities created by statute (e.g. airport authority) in Tennessee are eligible to apply for CTEG grant funding. Preference will be given to distressed counties and counties that have not previously received funding. Projects must have a simple payback of less than 10 years on the entire project budget.
- Distressed counties in West Tennessee are: Hardeman, Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, and McNairy.
- Unfunded Counties in West Tennessee include: Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Fayette, Haywood, Henry, Lake, McNairy and Obion.
For more info, contact SWTDD Grant Writer Melissa Davis, 731-668-6417 and mdavis@swtdd.org, or visit https://tn.gov/environment/article/grants-clean-tennessee-energy-grants