Van Buren County benefits from School Uplift program

TVA investing $7.3 million in 160 schools

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Van Buren County High School and Spencer Elementary School have received grants for energy upgrades and solar pavilions.

According to Tennessee Valley Authority, tight budgets and aging buildings have left many schools facing the difficult choice to fund learning programs or facility upgrades. A new program by the Tennessee Valley Authority will help 160 public schools in seven states solve that problem.

Van Buren County High School will receive a grant worth $400,000 for building upgrades and solar pavilions. Van Buren County High School is one of 11 schools that recently completed the School Uplift pilot, learning to save energy and competing to earn the grants.

Spencer Elementary School was awarded at TVA-funded grant for solar pavilions.

TVA is investing $7.3 million in a new School Uplift program over the next three years. School Uplift trains school personnel to reduce their schools’ energy use and save money. The state of Tennessee’s Energy Efficient Schools Initiative is partnering with TVA and has provided an initial $600,000 in matching funds.

On average, pilot schools have already saved nearly 20 percent on their annual energy bills from behavior changes alone.

TVA EnergyRight will be recruiting schools interested in participating in the 2022-2023 program. Click here for more information.

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