The Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards (GESA) are presented annually to recognize outstanding achievements by individuals, local governments, businesses, organizations, educational institutions, and agencies for successful environmental projects and conservation measures. The awards program was instituted in 1986 by Ernie Blankenship of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Health, a predecessor of TDEC, and has been adopted by the Governor’s office as one of its award programs.
GESA are designed to enhance knowledge and awareness of effective conservation and environmental practices and projects making outstanding contributions to the preservation and protection of community and state natural resources and to give proper recognition to those who engage in these outstanding practices. GESA also encourage leadership by example through its award winners, leading to increased protection and conservation of Tennessee’s wildlife, forests, soils, air, water, natural heritage, parks, and recreation. Applications are judged in nine different criteria areas, including such items as project results and transferability, as well as three eligibility areas: location within the state of Tennessee, completion of a majority of the project in the current calendar year, and three years of exceptional environmental compliance with TDEC.
GESA are the most prestigious environmental and conservation awards in the state. For more than 30 years, the awards have been presented to individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the protection and improvement of our natural resources and wildlife. GESA supports the Governor’s priorities of Job and Economic Development and Health and Welfare, while also supporting TDEC priorities of Public/Private Partnerships and Positive Environmental Outcomes.
Projects must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award:
- Be located or reside in Tennessee
- Nominated projects must have been largely completed during the 2019 calendar year
- Nominees shall have a minimum three years of exceptional environmental compliance
- Be submitted in the provided format
- Winning applicants must agree to allow a summary of their accomplishments to be published
- There must be a three-year window between wins for each category to be eligible for that category again
Deadline to apply is March 31, 2020.
Click here to learn more!
On November 1, 2019, TDEC issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit program design feedback for the forthcoming solicitation under the Light Duty Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Supply Equipment category.
TDEC also plans to leverage program design insights from Drive Electric Tennessee’s Statewide Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Needs Assessment, which is expected to be published on TDEC’s Drive Electric Tennessee webpage. TDEC encourages respondents to review this Needs Assessment when compiling feedback.
View the Light Duty SEZ Supply Equipment RFI here
Respondents may submit information in response to some or all of the questions contained within the RFI (Section 5: Information Requested, pages 7-12). Responses should be transmitted electronically to TDEC.OEP@tn.gov in PDF format and must be received by 4:00 pm CT on December 6, 2019. TDEC will conduct a comprehensive review and evaluation of all responses.
TDEC will continue to release solicitations for funding under the VW Settlement EMT in the coming months. Interested persons are advised to sign up for the TDEC VW Settlement email list at https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1843437/1737620/ to be kept apprised of all future and related announcements. For additional information on the VW Settlement, visit the TDEC website here: http://www.tn.gov/environment/VWSettlement. Click here to learn more about TDEC’s project solicitations under the VW Settlement EMT.
The Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo (STF&E) is an annual conference where attendees share and discover projects that can reshape what is possible in transportation and mobility. The research, technology, planning, and policy developments shared at STF&E aim to improve transportation efficiency, reduce vehicle emissions, and address the mobility needs of all. Panelists and speakers from across the country highlight best practices to transform transportation systems efficiently, affordably, and sustainably.
Each year, STF&E features an alternative fuel vehicle and equipment showcase as well as a luncheon that honors both winners of the Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Awards (TSTAs) and new inductees to the Tennessee Green Fleets (TGF) program.
STF&E will return to Knoxville on October 1-2, 2019.
Click here for more information!
TDEC, TDOT, and TNCleanFuels will hold the fifth annual Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo (STF&E) from October 1-2, 2019 at the UT Conference Center in Knoxville.
The forum will showcase new research and technologies that improve transportation efficiency, reduce vehicle emissions, and address the mobility for everyone in the state. Panelists and speakers from across the country will highlight best practices to transform transportation systems efficiently, affordably, and sustainably.
In addition to the forum, the conference will offer a luncheon that honors both winners of the Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Awards (TSTAs) and new inductees to the Tennessee Green Fleets (TGF) program.
Attendees may also enjoy an evening networking reception at the Sunsphere coordinated and hosted by the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition. Meanwhile, a poster session will highlight projects or research focused on the implementation of sustainable transportation and enhanced mobility solutions.
This year’s event will feature the annual alternative fuel vehicle and equipment showcase, where past participants have exhibited electric, hybrid, propane, compressed or liquefied natural gas, biofuel, and hydrogen vehicles and equipment from across the state. A new addition to the agenda is an alternative fuel vehicle ride and drive session, held outside of the conference center.
Registration includes access to all forum sessions, luncheons, the alternative fuel vehicle showcase, and a networking reception. Here are additional registration details:
- An advanced conference registration rate of $35 will be available until September 17, at which point registration will increase to $45 per person. Day-of registration will cost $50 per person.
- Students may register for the event at a discounted rate of $5 and must present their student IDs at the time of event sign-in.
For those interested in attending, registration is now open. To learn more, explore the preliminary draft agenda or the event’s official website. If you have additional questions, please contact STF&E organizers at TDEC.OEP@tn.gov or 615-253-1947.
TDEC is inviting Tennesseans to submit nominations for the 2019 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards, which honor outstanding accomplishments that support the protection and enhancement of Tennessee’s natural resources. “Being good stewards of our state’s resources is part of what makes Tennessee the beautiful and remarkable place it is,” Gov. Bill Lee said. “These awards help show that we all can do our part, and I can’t wait to see the potential solutions that individual Tennesseans come up with.”
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2019 awards, which include the following categories: Building Green; Clean Air; Energy and Renewable Resources; Environmental Education and Outreach (for both school and non-school projects); Land Use; Materials Management; Natural Heritage; Sustainable Performance; and Lifetime Achievement.
Alternative fuel vehicles and sustainable transportation projects could be eligible under several categories, including under Clean Air or Energy and Renewable Resources. Any individual, business, organization, educational institution, or agency is eligible for nomination, provided it is located in Tennessee and the project was completed during the 2018 calendar year. A panel of judges will select award recipients based on criteria including level of project or program completion, innovation, and public education. The deadline for nominations is April 30, and winners will be announced in June. Contact Kathy Glapa at (615) 253-8780 or GESA.Awards@tn.gov with any questions.