Downtown residents and businesses are encouraged to purchase green power as part of a new initiative to make downtown Knoxville green.

Green power, which is energy created by renewable resources such as wind, solar power and methane gas, is provided by KUB through TVA's Green Power Switch program, which was launched on Earth Day in 2000. Each 150-kilowatt-hour block of green power purchased costs $4, which is added to the customer's bill.

KUB customers have been very supportive of the program, making KUB the leader among all TVA power distributors in the number of blocks purchased per month.

The goal for this new downtown initiative is the purchase of an additional 400 blocks of green power representing 400 city blocks in downtown Knoxville, extending from just past Interstate 40 to the north, Blount Avenue to the south, Hall of Fame Drive to the east and 11th Street to the west. 
 
"The downtown Green Power Switch initiative is great because it allows downtown residents and businesses alike to take ownership of their community's commitment to the environment," said Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. "Each person and each business can help generate big results and make downtown Knoxville a green downtown - one green power block at a time."
 
"It's an exciting time to be in downtown Knoxville, and now residents and businesses have the opportunity to harness that positive downtown energy through Green Power Switch," said KUB President and CEO Mintha Roach. "While KUB is proud of all our environmental initiatives, we are especially excited about the community involvement that this downtown initiative will generate. With everyone's help, downtown Knoxville can meet the 400-block goal and truly make a difference."
 
Downtown residents and businesses will receive information in the mail on how to participate in Green Power Switch. All KUB customers are also encouraged to sign up for green power. For more information or to sign up, visit the Environment section at http://www.kub.org. 
 
"Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is proud to support this initiative because Green Power Switch is an easy and effective way for the community to support alternative energy," said J.P. Plumlee, campus coordinator for SACE. "Buying just two blocks - an investment of an additional $8 per month added to your power bill - buys enough green power to equal the environmental benefits of planting an acre of trees in the Tennessee Valley." 
 
The downtown Green Power Switch initiative was launched this month by KUB, the city of Knoxville, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), the Central Business Improvement District, the Knoxville Chamber and the Market Square District Association.

To jump-start the campaign, KUB and partners will host Green Power First Friday on May 2. In addition to regular First Friday festivities, a celebration of green power and other environmentally friendly initiatives will be held in the Krutch Park Extension across from Downtown Regal Riviera from 5-8 p.m.

Mayor Haslam will kick off the celebration in support of the downtown Green Power Switch initiative and will recognize local businesses that already purchase green power. Afterward, attendees can explore the booths to learn about environmentally friendly opportunities, such as recycling options in downtown Knoxville. They can also sign up for Green Power Switch and receive some "green" giveaways.

KUB, a municipal utility serving Knox and parts of seven adjacent counties, provides reliable electric, gas, water and wastewater services to more than 430,000 customers.