Energy Efficient Schools Initiative - Grants

The Energy Efficient Schools Initiative was created in May 2008 to provide grants and loans to Tennessee school systems for capital outlay projects that meet energy efficient design and technology guidelines for school facilities. Schools should apply for a pre installation visit and equipment commissioning, then invoice for grant payment as they receive vendor and contractor bills. All school systems in Tennessee are eligible to apply. Possible projects include lighting upgrades, HVAC upgrades, and other projects that meet pre-determined energy use objectives. State government appropriated the original funding ($90 million) with a onetime transfer from the Lottery for Education Account reserve and Lottery for Education special reserve account for K-12 capital outlay. Additional money to the fund comes from interest earnings and other funds secured by the Energy Efficient Schools Council. The Council is administratively part of the Department of Education.