Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation awarded the Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award (Outreach and Education Category) to an innovative Knoxville partnership for successful low-income weatherization assistance programs. 

The partnership, which includes Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC), City of Knoxville (COK), Alliance to Save Energy, and other partners, assisted nearly 1,500 low-income households in the last two years through the Knoxville Extreme Energy Makeover (KEEM) and Round It Up programs. 

“These programs have made a tremendous positive impact on our community,” said Barbara Kelly, Executive Director of CAC. “The retrofits allow families to save money on utility costs so they can better afford other basic necessities, such as food and medicine.”

For several years, City of Knoxville worked to bring dozens of local partners together to help low-income households struggling with utility costs due to inefficient homes. The collaboration led to implementation of KUB’s Round It Up program and KEEM; funded by $15 million from TVA.

“It’s an honor that TDEC has recognized the collective efforts and accomplishments of these partnerships,” said Erin Gill, COK Director of the Office of Sustainability. “We’re pleased to continue supporting the energy savings programs that benefit so many Knoxville residents.” 

“This is a great example of the impact of partnerships and the value of public power,” said Cindy Herron, TVA Vice President EnergyRight® Solutions. “We’re investing in people’s lives and helping improve their quality of life by lowering their monthly energy costs.”  

In total, the energy efficiency programs are expected save more than 6 million kilowatts annually, with an environmental benefit equal to removing nearly 1,000 cars from the road each year. 

“KUB is proud to partner with these organizations to support our income-limited customers,” said Liz Hannah, KUB Executive Services and Environmental Stewardship. “The programs provide solutions for a root-cause of low-income households struggling with utility costs due to homes that are not energy efficient.”  

Administered by CAC, the programs provide no-cost energy efficient retrofits for the homes, and organizations like Alliance to Save Energy and Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development (SEEED) provided education for the participants so they are equipped with knowledge to maximize savings with a more efficient home. 

TDEC Commissioner Shari Meghreblian will formally recognize the partners at an awards ceremony in July. 

For more information on the award and to see winners in other categories, please visit https://www.tn.gov/environment/news/2018/5/23/2018-governor-s-environmental-stewardship-award-winners-announced.html.