Energy Facts: Impact of the Investing in America Agenda on Tennessee

Published

1 year ago

December 1, 2023

Press Room

Energy Facts: Impact of the Investing in America Agenda on Tennessee

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visits Tennessee

On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm will travel to Tennessee to meet with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Leadership and local officials and energy leaders, showcasing the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments in clean energy in the South.
During this visit, the Secretary will visit the Clinch River Nuclear Site to highlight the importance of advanced nuclear technologies – a vital tool to reach the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of a net-zero emissions by 2050.

Strengthening Tennessee’s Economy

Energy Jobs

In 2022, there were already 209,951 Tennessee workers employed in the energy sector.
Across the state, more than 83% of the electric power generation workforce was in wind, solar, and hydroelectric, and more than 50,017 workers were employed in energy efficiency.
The Inflation Reduction Act will expand these opportunities, bringing an estimated $900 million of investment in large-scale clean power generation and storage to Tennessee between now and 2030.

Small Businesses

Tennessee is home to 653,000 small businesses, representing 99.5% of all businesses and employing 42% of all workers in the state, and the Inflation Reduction Act will help them save money. Commercial building owners can receive a tax credit up to $5 per square foot to support energy efficiency improvements that deliver lower utility bills. Other programs that will benefit small businesses include tax credits covering 30% of the costs of installing low-cost solar power and of purchasing clean trucks and vans for commercial fleets.

Clean Energy Investments

Currently, Tennessee has 561 MW of solar and wind capacity, along with 2.5 GW of hydroelectric capacity and 5 GW of nuclear capacity. There is over 580 MW of additional planned solar energy capacity in the works in the state, which will more than double the amount of renewables available on the state’s grid and power the equivalent more than 83,000 additional homes.
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits that encourage investment in wind and solar will help reduce energy costs, as the costs of solar and wind power are projected to drop by 23% and 34%, respectively, over the next 30 years in Tennessee.
Since the start of the Biden Administration, we have tracked more than $150 billion in new battery and electric vehicle supply chain investment announcements, including 23 facilities in Tennessee, adding up to over $15 billion in planned investment and over 12,600 jobs.

Clean Transportation

Tennessee currently has over 1,700 EV charging ports. The state is also receiving over $18.8 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help build out more EV charging stations.
In 2022, Tennessee had 28,300 registered electric vehicles, a 53% increase over 2021. Drivers switching to an electric pickup truck could save more than $1,700 per year in fueling and maintenance costs compared to a gasoline-powered truck. Drivers of smaller cars could save more than $1,200 per year. The Inflation Reduction Act will make it easier and cheaper to purchase an electric vehicle, with upfront discounts up to $7,500 for new EVs and up to $4,000 for used EVs, helping many Americans skip the gas pump and save on fuel costs.

Investing in Tennessee

Thanks to funding from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has made available more than $103.6 million in the past year to Tennessee’s state and local governments to invest in energy efficiency and grid resilience.
Novonix Anode Materials has received $150 million from DOE to build a battery materials manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, which will produce graphite for EV batteries.
Piedmont Lithium has also received $141 million to build a world-class lithium hydroxide facility in McMinn County, TN.
Tennessee Tech University has received $4.5 million to help develop cheaper mobile charging stations for electric vehicles, which can be deployed in rural areas and other places with limited EV charging capacity.
Carbon Rivers in Knoxville, TN, has received $1.1 million to improve recycling of materials made from end-of-life wind turbine blades.
Electric Power Research Institute in Knoxville, TN, has received $3.4 million for solar energy research as part of a grid modernization strategy.

Saving Tennesseans Money on Home Energy Bills

DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program have invested more than $55.1 million in Tennessee since 2015, leading to 789 jobs and over 2,800 homes with reduced energy costs and improved health and safety.
Upgrading appliances and improving home energy efficiency could save a total of 9,900 GWh of energy in Tennessee, enough to power 462,000 Tennessee homes.
Tennessee will receive over $167 million to implement a Home Energy Rebate program in the state. Low-income households in Tennessee could save an average of 44% on their home energy bills when they upgrade their appliances and improve energy efficiency through this program.
The Inflation Reduction Act also includes grants to help state and local governments adopt the latest building energy codes, which could save the average new homeowner in Tennessee 29% on utility bills. That amounts to $719 per year.

Prioritizing Tennessee’s Underserved Communities

The Biden Administration has committed to advancing equity for all communities, including through the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure Federal agencies deliver at least 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments to disadvantaged communities. DOE has more than 140 programs covered by this initiative.
Nashville, TN has participated in a Clean Energy to Communities Peer Learning Cohort sponsored by DOE to develop and implement a municipal clean energy strategy.
The Electric Power Research Institute is partnering with DOE to develop a community-focused planning framework to prevent power disruptions caused by extreme weather events. The goal is to minimize the potential burden of outages on local residents, especially low-income communities. The plan will then be deployed in a historically Black neighborhood in Nashville, TN, an area damaged by a destructive tornado and other storms in 2020.

For current DOE funding opportunities, visit: www.energy.gov/infrastructure

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Sunday Standings: Tennessee Women’s Basketball 8th In SEC Standings

Published

7 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

Sunday Standings: Tennessee Women’s Basketball 8th In SEC Standings

The Lady Vols are 8th after a close loss and a dominant win during this week’s contests.

Tennessee had a tough loss against the sixth ranked team in the nation however they bounced back earlier in the day to defeat the Razorbacks by 30 points. Elsewhere Mississippi State upset the Oklahoma Sooners and No. 2 South Carolina dominated the Longhorns.

Here are all of the scores from this week.

Thursday, January 9th, 2025

Sunday, January 12th, 2025

Tennessee dropped in the rankings after a loss earlier in the week but maintained a middle tier ranking after their big win on Sunday.

Below are the full rankings in the SEC.

#2 South Carolina (16-1) (C: 4-0)
#15 Kentucky (15-1) (C: 4-0)
#6 LSU (18-0) (C: 3-0)
#5 Texas (16-2) (C: 3-1)
#18 Alabama (16-2) (C: 3-1)
Mississippi State (15-3) (C: 2-2)
#10 Oklahoma (14-3) (C: 2-2)
#16 Tennessee (14-2) (C: 2-2)
Ole Miss (11-5) (C: 2-2)
Florida (11-7) (C: 2-2)
Vanderbilt (14-3) (C: 1-2)
Georgia (9-9) (C: 1-3)
Texas A&M (8-8) (C: 1-3)
Arkansas (8-11) (C: 1-3)
Missouri (11-8) (C: 0-4)
Auburn (9-8) (C: 0-4)

Make sure to follow our website Tennessee on SI.

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Tess Darby available for Lady Vols basketball vs Arkansas on SEC injury report

Published

19 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

Tess Darby available for Lady Vols basketball vs Arkansas on SEC injury report

Tess Darby is available for Lady Vols basketball at Arkansas on Sunday.

The fifth-year senior guard was upgraded from probable on the game day SEC injury report released two hours before No. 15 Tennessee (13-2, 1-2 SEC) plays at Arkansas (8-10, 1-2) at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network).

Darby missed Tennessee’s two-point loss to No. 4 LSU with a rolled right ankle. She wore a short boot on her right foot at Food City Center on Thursday.

Darby is averaging 8.4 points and 2.4 rebounds and is shooting 34% from 3-point range on 6.7 attempts per game. She has started in six of the 14 games she has appeared in this season and averages 17.4 minutes.

There were no new injuries on the SEC student-athlete availability report. All Arkansas players are available and Tennessee is only without Kaiya Wynn, who is out for the season after tearing her Achilles.

Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.

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40 Under 40: Reggie Lane develops players on and off the field at University of Tennessee

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

40 Under 40: Reggie Lane develops players on and off the field at University of Tennessee

Reggie Lane, 38, Director of EVOLVE and Player Engagement, University of Tennessee

Reggie Lane ensures University of Tennessee at Knoxville athletes are performing well on and off the football field. In his professional role, Lane mentors student-athletes in their personal development, helping them with career goals, relationships and mental health wellness.

To help this generation of University of Tennessee students become the next generation of professionals, Lane cultivates inclusive environments and connects students with the wider Knoxville community.

When you reflect on your career so far, which achievement stands out most?

One of my most meaningful achievements has been mentoring and advising young adults through initiatives like the Black Male Excellence Network and EVOLVE program. Supporting their personal and professional development, watching them overcome obstacles and grow into confident leaders has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve taken pride in fostering connections, providing guidance and witnessing firsthand the transformation of students into impactful, community-oriented individuals. The opportunity to contribute to their journeys and help them realize their potential stands out as a highlight of my career so far.

What is the greatest professional obstacle you’ve had to overcome and how did you overcome it?

The greatest professional obstacle I’ve faced was navigating the impact of COVID-19 on engaging and mentoring young men in leadership development programs. During the pandemic, in-person interactions − essential for building trust and community − were no longer possible. I adapted by leveraging virtual platforms to maintain consistent communication, hosting online workshops and finding creative ways to foster group discussions and connection remotely. Despite challenges, I prioritized accessibility, ensuring that young men still felt supported and connected. This experience taught me the value of adaptability and resilience in maintaining impactful mentorship, even under difficult circumstances.

What will you focus on in 2025?

In 2025, I plan to focus heavily on both my professional and personal development. Professionally, I aim to complete my doctoral studies in leadership, further expanding my knowledge and enhancing my ability to impact higher education positively. Personally, I will prioritize my growth in areas such as mindfulness, wellness and work-life balance to ensure that I am at my best to support others. Additionally, I am committed to creating pathways for others by mentoring young leaders, developing new leadership programs and ensuring that the next generation has the resources and opportunities to thrive.

What is your biggest professional dream?

My biggest professional dream is to become a university president. I aspire to lead an institution that not only excels in academic achievement but also fosters a culture of inclusivity, support, and opportunity for all students. Drawing from my experience in student engagement, leadership programs and athletics, I envision creating an environment where students from diverse backgrounds are empowered to succeed both academically and personally. I want to ensure that universities are places where all young people, especially first-generation and underrepresented students, can find their voices and reach their full potential.

What mistake did you learn the most from?

The mistake I learned the most from is judging a book by its cover. Early in my career, I made assumptions about individuals based on first impressions, often underestimating their capabilities or missing opportunities to connect on a deeper level. This experience taught me the importance of approaching every person with an open mind and a willingness to learn from them. By setting aside preconceived notions, I discovered the value in diverse perspectives and talents that weren’t immediately obvious. It reinforced the idea that true leadership is about understanding and uplifting others without bias.

What motivates you?

The opportunity to mentor others, make a difference and be a role model.

What is the most overrated piece of business advice you’ve heard?

The most overrated piece of business advice I’ve heard is, “Follow your passion, and the money will follow.” While passion is important, it’s not the only factor for success. Relying solely on passion can lead to overlooking practical aspects of life that matter and will play a part in decision-making. Passion should be coupled with a commitment to acquiring the necessary skills and the willingness to adapt when needed. A more balanced approach ensures sustainability and growth beyond just pursuing what you love.

What trait do you most want in a co-worker?

I value traits like collaboration, reliability and empathy. I appreciate someone who works well with others, values teamwork and actively contributes to the group’s success.

What about Knoxville would you like to improve?

In Knoxville, I would like to improve the availability of community spaces that foster engagement among members of diverse backgrounds. Creating more inclusive areas where people from different cultural, social and economic backgrounds can come together would help strengthen connections and build a more cohesive community. Additionally, I would focus on creating more opportunities for those in need by expanding access to educational programs, job training and mentorship initiatives. Empowering underserved populations and ensuring they have the resources to thrive would not only uplift individuals but also contribute to a more equitable and vibrant Knoxville.

What don’t people know about you?

What many people might not know about me is that I serve as the national director of my fraternity’s collegiate academy, where I work to develop leadership skills and personal growth opportunities for young members. This role allows me to inspire and mentor students, preparing them for success in both their academic and professional journeys. On a lighter note, another lesser-known fact is that my favorite food is spaghetti. I find great comfort in a classic plate of spaghetti, which has always been my go-to meal.

Family: Minnie Lane, grandmother, Jimmy Lane and Eddie Dean Butler, parents; Erica Mosley and Courtney Lane, sisters; and a host of other family and friends that poured into me
Years worked at current company: 3
Degrees and certifications: Bachelor’s in public health, Western Kentucky University; Master’s in counselor education, Mississippi State University
Community involvement: Boys & Girls Club, volunteer; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., member

– Keenan Thomas

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