"Solar for your Home Workshop with STION"
Bearden Beer Market (BBM) will host a free workshop at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, November 7th with STION, solar panel manufacturer located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. At the workshop you will learn more about solar energy and how you can incorporate into your home or building.
This workshop is part of a series of efforts taking place in the Bearden Beer Market's Best Building Practices Campaign.
One dollar from all pints sold on Wednesdays will go to the BBM's multi-phase campaign - the first being a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of the beer garden.
Other planned projects include a vegetative roof garden on the North-facing roof, lighting improvements (90% complete), and a porous surface to replace the current blacktop surface on-site.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Knoxville Applies for the Bloomberg Mayors Challenge
A community survey, over 50 responses, a selection committee, a mayoral decision, an application, and a video later, Knoville has submitted for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge grant. Good luck, Knoxville!
Knoxville's Mayors Challenge Video
Here's a thumbnail:
The City of Knoxville wants to create a unique business model that encompasses the entire urban food cycle by connecting land, farming jobs, processing facilities, food transit, sale, and composting.
This idea is bold because it strives to create a replicable plan that encompasses the entire urban food cycle, distilling it into model ordinances and a business strategy that addresses food deserts comprehensively. The plan will provide employment and economic development opportunities, and link three key and as yet unconnected components: re-purposing vacant lots for food production, partnering with existing facilities to establish certified kitchens used to process food, and establishing a legal mechanism to enable a business model of food distribution to those in need and produce sale to local establishments.
Though there is a Harvard tool kit available, no city has yet created a replicable comprehensive local food system that addresses land, jobs, processing, sale, and composting at once on a large scale. This idea creates steady supply for existing demand by tackling difficult zoning regulations, high insurance costs, and cross-sector interaction. It connects the dots.
Knoxville's Mayors Challenge Video
Here's a thumbnail:
The City of Knoxville wants to create a unique business model that encompasses the entire urban food cycle by connecting land, farming jobs, processing facilities, food transit, sale, and composting.
This idea is bold because it strives to create a replicable plan that encompasses the entire urban food cycle, distilling it into model ordinances and a business strategy that addresses food deserts comprehensively. The plan will provide employment and economic development opportunities, and link three key and as yet unconnected components: re-purposing vacant lots for food production, partnering with existing facilities to establish certified kitchens used to process food, and establishing a legal mechanism to enable a business model of food distribution to those in need and produce sale to local establishments.
Though there is a Harvard tool kit available, no city has yet created a replicable comprehensive local food system that addresses land, jobs, processing, sale, and composting at once on a large scale. This idea creates steady supply for existing demand by tackling difficult zoning regulations, high insurance costs, and cross-sector interaction. It connects the dots.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Knoxville wants to be an IBM Smart City
We're meeting the deadline for this initiative tomorrow.
Here's the pea-sized version:
Knoxville, Tennessee has an aging housing infrastructure that consumes energy in excess, often leaving residents with utility bills too large for them to pay. This results in draw down of resources from helping agencies, but not in direct follow up of weatherization and education services. The resulting cycle wastes millions annually.
Ignoring this problem is economically and socially destructive, and excessively damaging to local health, given that 60% of power consumed in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s territory is coal generated . Knoxville is first in the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2012 Top Five Allergy Capitals. In part this is due to topography, and in part it is because we could be more proactive about consuming less energy.
Buildings account for 36% of our energy consumption and 65% of electricity consumption. In spite of partnering with local utilities to lead aggressive energy reduction measures in-house, commercially, and residentially, the City of Knoxville lacks a methodical system that connects our vast network of emergency utility services – which identify problem spots - to the solution: weatherization and energy education.
In 2011, five organizations paid 3.3 million for emergency utility bills to the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) on behalf of private struggling residential accounts. This amount assisted 9,670 households, averaging $339 in utility benefits per household. These programs are designed to alleviate the financial pressure experienced by low-income families, rehabilitated citizens, and people who have recently been or are in immediate danger of becoming homeless. However, no follow-up preventative measures are systematically installed to keep this from happening again.
The City of Knoxville would like to utilize the skills and expertise of a talented IBM team to brainstorm a way to track and measure emergency energy services and to recommend the best way to systematically address Knoxville’s older housing stock accordingly. Knoxville is represented on national working groups dedicated to creating strategies for residential energy efficiency programs, so we know that this is a relevant area of study that as of yet has no consistent answer across the United States.
Good luck, Knoxville!
Here's the pea-sized version:
Knoxville, Tennessee has an aging housing infrastructure that consumes energy in excess, often leaving residents with utility bills too large for them to pay. This results in draw down of resources from helping agencies, but not in direct follow up of weatherization and education services. The resulting cycle wastes millions annually.
Ignoring this problem is economically and socially destructive, and excessively damaging to local health, given that 60% of power consumed in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s territory is coal generated . Knoxville is first in the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2012 Top Five Allergy Capitals. In part this is due to topography, and in part it is because we could be more proactive about consuming less energy.
Buildings account for 36% of our energy consumption and 65% of electricity consumption. In spite of partnering with local utilities to lead aggressive energy reduction measures in-house, commercially, and residentially, the City of Knoxville lacks a methodical system that connects our vast network of emergency utility services – which identify problem spots - to the solution: weatherization and energy education.
In 2011, five organizations paid 3.3 million for emergency utility bills to the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) on behalf of private struggling residential accounts. This amount assisted 9,670 households, averaging $339 in utility benefits per household. These programs are designed to alleviate the financial pressure experienced by low-income families, rehabilitated citizens, and people who have recently been or are in immediate danger of becoming homeless. However, no follow-up preventative measures are systematically installed to keep this from happening again.
The City of Knoxville would like to utilize the skills and expertise of a talented IBM team to brainstorm a way to track and measure emergency energy services and to recommend the best way to systematically address Knoxville’s older housing stock accordingly. Knoxville is represented on national working groups dedicated to creating strategies for residential energy efficiency programs, so we know that this is a relevant area of study that as of yet has no consistent answer across the United States.
Good luck, Knoxville!
The State of TN has a new Sustainability Office!
And they have a conference. Here's the info, in case anyone is interested in attending:
Sustaining Tennessee’s Future, September 27 & 28 at Montgomery Bell State Park. This conference will focus on both current sustainability initiatives, and future outlooks and challenges, from a variety of businesses, local governments, and organizations across the state.
It will also be a chance to hear firsthand from our Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner about TDECs vision and commitment to sustainability, and the first public unveiling of our newly revamped leadership and recognition (formerly Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership) program.
The State of Tennessee is excited about our agenda and presenters, and we’re confident this will be a great learning and networking opportunity for anyone with an interest in creating a more sustainable Tennessee. Please see Sustaining Tennessee’s Future 2012 for more information, including the conference agenda and online registration.
Sustaining Tennessee’s Future, September 27 & 28 at Montgomery Bell State Park. This conference will focus on both current sustainability initiatives, and future outlooks and challenges, from a variety of businesses, local governments, and organizations across the state.
It will also be a chance to hear firsthand from our Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner about TDECs vision and commitment to sustainability, and the first public unveiling of our newly revamped leadership and recognition (formerly Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership) program.
The State of Tennessee is excited about our agenda and presenters, and we’re confident this will be a great learning and networking opportunity for anyone with an interest in creating a more sustainable Tennessee. Please see Sustaining Tennessee’s Future 2012 for more information, including the conference agenda and online registration.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Case Study Material
Knoxville is featured in a new report, called Powering the New Energy Future from the Ground Up: Profiles in City-Led Clean Energy Innovation
Hold Us Accountable
For anyone interested in the new Office of Sustainability's Performance Measures:
DESCRIPTION
Our citizens have come to expect the City of Knoxville to be a good steward of federal and local tax dollars and to provide sustainable amenities such as recycling, bike lanes, greenways, and proactive zoning. The initial hurdle of showing sustainability as a means of reducing inefficiencies, avoiding costs and improving health, rather than an expensive diminishing of individual rights, has largely been overcome. The time is right to build on the federal financial foundation and embed the program as a way the City operates.
The City evaluates performance by department and individual; however, pay or funding is not tied to performance. The Office of Sustainability will continue to track and perform as if our salaries depend on it, and will evaluate office and staff roles and performance annually to insure we are the best we can be and growing in effectiveness and efficiency.
In 2009, we were established as DOE-funded staff with granted capital for established project funding. In 2010, we established our office as a top DOE performer. In 2011, we established our office as a national leader. In 2012, we were established and recognized as an office with official salaried City staff, with project funding to be obtained through an innovative financing portfolio.
GOAL STATEMENT
The goal of the Office of Sustainability is to grow economic prosperity through environmental and social responsibility.
OBJECTIVES
To excel both locally and nationally as outlined in the City’s Energy and Sustainability Work Plan and as opportunities arise, in the following categories:
1.) Community Involvement – citizen input and city accountability
2.) Energy – efficiency and renewable energy for all sectors
3.) Goods and Services – responsible purchasing, waste avoidance, and city land management
4.) Infrastructure – making complete streets a priority in retrofits and new construction
5.) Sustainable Growth – ensuring our policies enable sustainable best practices
6.) Transportation – fostering commuting options that suit our community dynamics
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1.) Community Involvement – citizen input and city accountability
a.) Publically vetted, created, and distributed the Energy and Sustainability Work Plan; and began implementation of 12 new activities for 2012
b.) Completed public campaigns for the recycling and green building incentive programs
c.) Gave 47 presentations to classes, community groups, state and national audiences
d.) Coordinated 25 workshops and 2 solar tours / fairs to educate 1,163 on solar viability
e.) Developed a Citizen’s How-To Guide for Sustainability (posted online)
2.) Energy – efficiency and renewable energy for all sectors
a.) Completed the Solar America Cities grant on time and in budget: solar capacity in Knoxville/Knox Co. grew from 30 kilowatts (kW) to over 1 megawatt (1,000 kW)
b.) Continued energy data collection partnerships with ORNL and KUB to obtain and use spatial data for energy consumption monitoring
c.) Installed 5 city-owned Solar PV systems for a total of almost 150 kW
d.) Completed all 7 activities in the Department of Energy’s Conservation Block Grant on time, in budget, and cited as a national leader in energy best practice by DOE
f.) Energy retrofits from Ameresco / Energy Savings Performance Contract Phase I completed, measuring results and prepping Phase II
g.) Selected as a Department Of Energy Better Buildings Challenge Partner/City
3.) Goods and Services – responsible purchasing, waste avoidance, and city land management
a.) Reached initial goal of 20,000 in recycling program participants, averaging 673 tons / month diverted waste (including downtown and drop off centers)
b.) Continued to push community garden legislation and programming (for 2013 season)
c.) Started recycling in some parks as budget allows, and at special events
d.) Completed an Employee Purchasing Guide
e.) Developed and rolled out a City Disposables Policy
f.) Recycling Services Contractual Framework developed for joint purchasing
g.) Established permanent downtown recycling for residents
4.) Infrastructure – making complete streets a priority in retrofits and new construction
a.) Installed 14 non-solar and 10 solar charging stations through the EV project
b.) In the process of modifying ordinances to legalize Car sharing program
5.) Sustainable Growth – ensuring our policies enable sustainable best practice
a.) Collaborated with National Academies on sustainability guide: US EPA Green Book
b.) Collaborated with Environmental Law Institute on book Acting as if Tomorrow Matters
c.) In the process of updating Energy Code to 2012 and State standard
d.) Co-founded the Southeast Sustainability Network
6.) Transportation – fostering commuting options that suit our community dynamics
a.) Partnered with TPO on a car sharing program for 2013 program start
b.) Designated part of a city employee’s time to bicycle commuting in ROW
c.) Developed and rolled out new No-Idling Policy with Director enforcement
d.) Developed and rolled out Green Fleet Policy with Fleet Department
DESCRIPTION
Our citizens have come to expect the City of Knoxville to be a good steward of federal and local tax dollars and to provide sustainable amenities such as recycling, bike lanes, greenways, and proactive zoning. The initial hurdle of showing sustainability as a means of reducing inefficiencies, avoiding costs and improving health, rather than an expensive diminishing of individual rights, has largely been overcome. The time is right to build on the federal financial foundation and embed the program as a way the City operates.
The City evaluates performance by department and individual; however, pay or funding is not tied to performance. The Office of Sustainability will continue to track and perform as if our salaries depend on it, and will evaluate office and staff roles and performance annually to insure we are the best we can be and growing in effectiveness and efficiency.
In 2009, we were established as DOE-funded staff with granted capital for established project funding. In 2010, we established our office as a top DOE performer. In 2011, we established our office as a national leader. In 2012, we were established and recognized as an office with official salaried City staff, with project funding to be obtained through an innovative financing portfolio.
GOAL STATEMENT
The goal of the Office of Sustainability is to grow economic prosperity through environmental and social responsibility.
OBJECTIVES
To excel both locally and nationally as outlined in the City’s Energy and Sustainability Work Plan and as opportunities arise, in the following categories:
1.) Community Involvement – citizen input and city accountability
2.) Energy – efficiency and renewable energy for all sectors
3.) Goods and Services – responsible purchasing, waste avoidance, and city land management
4.) Infrastructure – making complete streets a priority in retrofits and new construction
5.) Sustainable Growth – ensuring our policies enable sustainable best practices
6.) Transportation – fostering commuting options that suit our community dynamics
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1.) Community Involvement – citizen input and city accountability
a.) Publically vetted, created, and distributed the Energy and Sustainability Work Plan; and began implementation of 12 new activities for 2012
b.) Completed public campaigns for the recycling and green building incentive programs
c.) Gave 47 presentations to classes, community groups, state and national audiences
d.) Coordinated 25 workshops and 2 solar tours / fairs to educate 1,163 on solar viability
e.) Developed a Citizen’s How-To Guide for Sustainability (posted online)
2.) Energy – efficiency and renewable energy for all sectors
a.) Completed the Solar America Cities grant on time and in budget: solar capacity in Knoxville/Knox Co. grew from 30 kilowatts (kW) to over 1 megawatt (1,000 kW)
b.) Continued energy data collection partnerships with ORNL and KUB to obtain and use spatial data for energy consumption monitoring
c.) Installed 5 city-owned Solar PV systems for a total of almost 150 kW
d.) Completed all 7 activities in the Department of Energy’s Conservation Block Grant on time, in budget, and cited as a national leader in energy best practice by DOE
f.) Energy retrofits from Ameresco / Energy Savings Performance Contract Phase I completed, measuring results and prepping Phase II
g.) Selected as a Department Of Energy Better Buildings Challenge Partner/City
3.) Goods and Services – responsible purchasing, waste avoidance, and city land management
a.) Reached initial goal of 20,000 in recycling program participants, averaging 673 tons / month diverted waste (including downtown and drop off centers)
b.) Continued to push community garden legislation and programming (for 2013 season)
c.) Started recycling in some parks as budget allows, and at special events
d.) Completed an Employee Purchasing Guide
e.) Developed and rolled out a City Disposables Policy
f.) Recycling Services Contractual Framework developed for joint purchasing
g.) Established permanent downtown recycling for residents
4.) Infrastructure – making complete streets a priority in retrofits and new construction
a.) Installed 14 non-solar and 10 solar charging stations through the EV project
b.) In the process of modifying ordinances to legalize Car sharing program
5.) Sustainable Growth – ensuring our policies enable sustainable best practice
a.) Collaborated with National Academies on sustainability guide: US EPA Green Book
b.) Collaborated with Environmental Law Institute on book Acting as if Tomorrow Matters
c.) In the process of updating Energy Code to 2012 and State standard
d.) Co-founded the Southeast Sustainability Network
6.) Transportation – fostering commuting options that suit our community dynamics
a.) Partnered with TPO on a car sharing program for 2013 program start
b.) Designated part of a city employee’s time to bicycle commuting in ROW
c.) Developed and rolled out new No-Idling Policy with Director enforcement
d.) Developed and rolled out Green Fleet Policy with Fleet Department
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