MADISON – The Tennessee Valley Authority or TVA is offering grants with its “School Uplift” program and encourages Alabama educators in public schools to apply.

Recipient school staffs will receive training in energy efficiency and grants to reduce energy costs and improve the quality of the learning environment.

Local power companies and TVA’s EnergyRight initiative are offering School Uplift, a no-cost program, to help schools through behavior-based training and grants that help the entire school community — from faculty/staff to students. School administrators can adopt easy energy-saving behaviors for a campus. (energyright.com/business-industry/school-uplift)

For training, the program uses free, strategic sessions in energy management, along with coaching on steps to operate buildings more efficiently, according to Adam May, TVA Media Senior Specialist in Knoxville.

“School Uplift is making a big impact on the region. Teachers, administrators and students across the Tennessee Valley are all working hard to save big on energy,” May said. “Each year we help approximately 100 public schools lower their energy bills with no-cost, energy-saving practices that reduce energy costs by 10 percent.”

To-date, 25 energy grants are in place, and TVA wants to award more grants in the future. “TVA is investing over $3 million each year in School Uplift to make sure this grade-A work continues,” May said.

To secure the competitive grants, the applicant will compete against other schools for up to $200,000 in grants for building energy upgrades. With program completion, all participants will receive a minimum of $10,000 in grant money.

To enroll in the program, visit EnergyRight.com/school-uplift, and submit contact information.

School Uplift grants have proven benefits:

* Training in energy management – Participating public schools receive behavior-based strategic training. This perspective promotes engagement from faculty and students with easy, energy-saving tips and energy-efficiency practices.

* Stronger communities – Uniting for a common cause can energize students, families, teachers, business owners and statewide leaders.

* Need-based grants — Participating public schools compete for grant eligibility.

The Association of Energy Services Professionals recognized School Uplift with the 2022 “Groundbreaking Program Design and Implementation” Award. This honor recognizes the program’s effectiveness in improving customer engagement for TVA.

For more information, visit energyright.com.