February 11, 2014 - The City of Knoxville Office of Sustainability today released an update to its Energy & Sustainability Work Plan and Emissions Inventory.

The report tracks the progress of the City's Energy & Sustainability Initiative, now in its seventh year, and measures energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

"This update shows the great strides we've made in the last six years toward making the City and the Knoxville community more sustainable," said Mayor Madeline Rogero. "We've saved taxpayers money through energy efficiency, lowered the greenhouse gas emissions associated with City operations and worked with local partners to promote active, healthy and sustainable living."

Based on 2012 data, the updated Energy & Emissions Inventory shows reductions in energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions at both the municipal and community levels.

As a municipality, the City reduced its energy consumption by 38,310 million British Thermal Units (MMBtu) from 2005 levels - a 6.48 percent reduction. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with City operations fell 12.99 percent. At the community level, the emissions associated with energy use, transportation and waste management fell 7.75 percent from 2005 levels.

"These savings reflect the success of projects like the City's conversion of traffic signals to LED technology and energy efficiency upgrades at City buildings," said Jake Tisinger, Project Manager for the Office of Sustainability. "Residents and businesses are using less energy than in 2005, and improved fuel economy and cleaner electricity generation have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

The updated Work Plan explains how the City will continue to build on this progress. With many of the original actions developed in 2010 through extensive community input now substantially underway, this report identifies next steps and adds several new action items that reflect new opportunities.

"We're excited to enter the next phase of the Energy & Sustainability Initiative," said Erin Gill, Director of the Office of Sustainability. "In addition to finding new ways to save energy and money in City operations, the Office of Sustainability is committed to being a community leader and partner in efforts such as the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge and urban agriculture initiatives."

Click here to read the Energy & Sustainability Work Plan and Emissions Inventory report.