TVA Board To Learn More About Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

February 28, 2008

TVA Board members will hear from panels of experts on energy efficiency, demand response and renewable energy in listening sessions open to the public March 4-5 in Knoxville. The public also will have an opportunity to provide comments.

As part of the 2007 Strategic Plan, TVA is developing long-term plans to use power more efficiently, reduce the growth in demand, and make more effective use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and methane gas.

An Ad-Hoc oversight committee of the TVA Board will conduct the listening sessions in the Lecture Hall of the Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley St. The sessions include:

• Energy Efficiency and Demand Response – 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 4
• Renewable Energy – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 5

 Panelists will share their expertise on what TVA should consider as part of its energy efficiency and renewable energy plans. Panelists will have expertise in the areas of policy, environment, and industry and technology.

 “In addition to building power plants to meet the growing energy needs of the Tennessee Valley, we must find ways to use power more efficiently and to reduce some of the growth in demand,” said TVA President and CEO Tom Kilgore. “The Board wants to learn more about the areas of energy efficiency, demand reduction and renewable energy from the experts and hear ideas from the public as we develop long-range plans.”

The sessions are open to the public, which will have an opportunity to share brief comments on each of the areas at the end of each day’s session. Speaking opportunities will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone interested in speaking may register online at http://www.tva.com/register.htm, or they may register at the listening session the day of the meeting. Written comments may also be submitted and are encouraged.

Following the listening sessions, TVA will review comments by panelists and the public and incorporate recommendations into its long-term strategies where appropriate. TVA is also working with customers and Valley stakeholders to develop new and expanded energy efficiency and demand response products, services and initiatives for consumers, business and industry.

Draft plans for energy efficiency and renewable energy are scheduled to be presented to the Board at its April meeting. Additional public briefings and opportunities for input will be scheduled during the spring.

TVA currently offers energy efficiency initiatives through its energy right program and renewable energy through its Green Power Switch program. TVA is also developing several new pilot projects.

In January, TVA and local power distributors kicked-off a Valley wide effort to mail a free energy efficiency kit to every Valley consumer who completes a do-it-yourself Home Energy Audit through June 30. Residents may take the audit online by going to the energyright.com Web site or request a paper copy from their local power distributor, or the energy right Help Line at 1-800-663-1835. More than 4,500 consumers have completed the audit since mid-January. The Web site tvakids.com features information on energy efficiency and renewable energy for students.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 159 power distributors that serve approximately 8.8 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

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