Tag Archives: TDEC

Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo

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.

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REGISTER NOW! 2019 Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo

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.

Deadline for nominations: 2019 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards

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.

There’s still time to submit nominations for the 2019 Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Awards

TDEC and TDOT invite nominations for the fifth annual Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Awards. Winners will be announced at the Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo, which will take place on Oct. 1-2, 2019 in Knoxville.

The Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Awards recognize outstanding initiatives to improve the efficiency, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of transportation systems in the state, consistent with ongoing efforts to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans, provide for a strong economy, and protect and enhance our state’s natural resources. A panel of reviewers representing an array of interests will select award winners based on the following criteria:

  • Innovation – how the project utilized new thinking or creative approaches to meet a particular transportation challenge;
  • Best Practices and Replicability– how the project demonstrates a transferable solution, such that others could adopt or implement similar programs or initiatives;
  • Changes in Transportation Behavior– how a project worked to encourage or achieve changes in transportation behavior in order to make a transportation system more efficient;
  • Improvements to Public Health and Safety– how a project creates improvements to public health, well-being or safety in a given community.

Eligible applicants include federal, state, and local governments; commercial, nonprofit, and industrial organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; and utilities. The entity must be located in Tennessee, and the project must have been completed in the last five years. All nominees must have a minimum of three consecutive, current years of exceptional environmental compliance with TDEC. Self-nominations are encouraged.

More information, including the nomination form, can be found at https://www.tn.gov/environment/TSTA.

June 14, 2019 is the last day for nominations to be submitted. Questions about the awards can be directed to Alexa Voytek at Alexa.Voytek@tn.gov or 615-532-0238.

Here’s how Tennessee plans to spend $45.8 million from the VW settlement

(Originally published: The Tennessean)

Tennessee environmental officials released a plan that outlines how the state will spend $45.8 million from the Volkswagen diesel settlement.

The plan targets emissions from school buses, city buses, freight trucks and some other vehicles. Also, it invests in electric vehicle charging stations.

Diesel engines emit relatively large amounts of nitrogen oxides, which contribute to smog, and fine particulate matter harmful to human health. By expanding the electric vehicle charging network, the state also hopes to spur growth in the auto manufacturing industry.

The Volkswagen funding in Tennessee will be available for replacing older diesel engines with alternate fuel engines running on natural gas, propane, electricity, or diesel-electric hybrid. Also, recipients could replace older diesel vehicles and equipment.

“The goal of this plan is to reduce air pollutants that negatively impact our environment and public health,” Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Shari Meghreblian said in a statement. “We look forward to supporting projects in our state that will ultimately lead to an enhanced quality of life for Tennesseans.”

Read more here.

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