Knoxville has been selected as one of 50 communities to advance to the Semifinal round of the Georgetown University Energy Prize, a national competition that challenges small- and medium-sized communities to develop and implement creative, sustainable, and replicable strategies to save energy. 

Through this competition, the City of Knoxville will work with utility and community leaders to reduce energy consumption in homes, schools and municipal buildings. The community that reduces energy consumption the most over a two-year period has a chance to win up to $5 million to fund local energy and sustainability programs. 

The City's Office of Sustainability partnered with Knoxville Utilities Board, the University of Tennessee's Office of Sustainability, Knox County Schools, and multiple nonprofit organizations to submit a "community energy plan" and other requirements for Knoxville to compete in the competition. During the two-year competition period, these partners will continue working together to promote energy efficiency and showcase local initiatives on a national stage. 

The City of Knoxville sees this competition as a way to build on the momentum of existing programs, such as the Smarter Cities Partnership, a coalition of 20-plus local organizations seeking to improve the comfort, quality, and affordability of inner-city homes through energy efficiency. 

"We've made great progress in recent years to reduce municipal energy use and advance efficiency programs for the Knoxville community," said Mayor Madeline Rogero. "The Georgetown University Energy Prize is an opportunity to showcase these efforts and help get people even more excited about saving energy." 

In addition, as part of the competition, a community-led coalition called "Knoxville Scores" has been formed by local nonprofit organizations and individuals with an interest in helping local residents lower their utility bills. Knoxville Scores will coordinate activities to focus on teaching residents how small changes and home energy improvements can save money and increase home comfort. Local organizations or residents wishing to get involved with this effort are encouraged to contact the Knoxville Scores leadership team at [email protected]. 

To learn more about the Georgetown University Energy Prize and to track the competition's progress, visit www.guep.org, or follow the Prize on Twitter (@GUEnergyPrize) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/guenergyprize). 

About Georgetown University Energy Prize 

The $5 million Georgetown University Energy Prize challenges small- to medium-size towns, cities, and counties to rethink their energy use, and implement creative strategies to increase efficiency. To compete for the Prize, local governments, residents, utilities, and others will need to work together to demonstrate success in sustainably reducing energy consumption over a two-year period. For more information, visit www.guep.org.