TN Green Fee History

University of Tennessee - Knoxville

In the spring of 2000, the University of Tennessee was an initial customer of the Green Power Switch program. Initially purchasing an amount of green power to account for .03% of UT's annual electricity consumption, the campus is now the 2nd largest green power purchaser in the entire TVA distribution region. University of Tennessee (UT) purchases 3,375 150kWh blocks of green power a month, The initial commitment was decided on by the administration in 2000, but student efforts increased the campus support for local renewable energy.

On March 30th and 31st of 2004, Knoxville students voted on a referendum that was sponsored by Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville, during the annual Student Government Association elections. The referendum called for an increase in student fees that outlined green power purchasing, on-site generation, and energy efficiency and conservation measures. The student body passed the initiative, and worked closely with the University's administration to establish the Student Environmental Initiatives Facilities Fee, which annually generates $430,000.

UT Knoxville is currently retrofitting campus buildings with energy efficient lighting, purchasing hybrid vehicles for the transportation fleet, and incorporating high efficiency hand dryers. Students, faculty, staff, and campus administration are currently in the midst of an educational campaign to increase awareness of sustainability practices on a personal level. The Make Orange Green campaign works to coordinate all environmental activities on the campus.

2005 - 2006

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and Tennessee Technological University (TTU)

After attending the 2nd Annual Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference in February 2005, Students for Environmental Action at MTSU and the Student Environmental Action Coalition at TTU were inspired to support a renewable energy future. Students from the universities led successful joint campus campaigns, seeing the largest voter turnout ever in the campuses history of SGA elections. Over 89% of the voting body supported these student initiatives to purchase green power from TVA's Green Power Switch program, and implement energy conservation/ efficiency measures for the campus through an increase of student fees.

The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) passed the annual increase of $10 per student for both campuses, resulting in the additional purchase of ~12 additional mega-blocks of green power.  This purchase will offset approximately 750 tons of CO2, NOX and SO2 each month. TBR has created a task force to look into environmental impacts at not only MTSU and TTU, but all of the schools in the state system. Other projects include electric vehicle purchases, energy efficient lighting, and solar electric arrays.

2006 - 2007

Austin Peay State University

Students Organized to Advance Renewable Energy (SOARE) ran their green fee campaign in the fall of 2006, with a successful student vote! The TBR approved their sustainable campus fee in the summer of 2007. The campus has recently put together their oversight committee for the Sustainable Campus Fee, and is deciding on projects for the coming school year.

University of Memphis

University of Memphis students were first inspired to bring renewable energy to their campus from their attendance of the 3rd Annual Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference (SSREC) at the University of TN - Knoxville. Following the conference, students in the Environmental Action Club immediately surveyed their campus to see student interest in supporting a renewable energy initiative. There was overwhelming support to bring a green fee to campus, as the average funds students would be willing to contribute was close to $40/ student.

The Environmental Action Club campaigned hard on campus, with much opposition from the Student Government Association, but turned out a successful student vote for their green fee! The TBR approved the fee at their summer 2007 meeting. The U of M is currently putting together their oversight committee for the fee, which will generate ~$360,000 annually.

University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

Students from the University of TN at Chattanooga are also engaging their campus to support renewable energy in the form of a clean energy fee. Led by the student group Ecological Decisions for a Global Environment (EDGE), students supported their Clean Campus Initiative with a vote in the Spring of 2007. The UT Board of Trustees approved the Clean Campus Initiative fee at their annual meeting in the Summer of 2007, which generates ~130,000 annually.

The campus has recently formed their sustainability fee oversight committee, and has designated funds for the 2007-2008 school year.  Projects include lighting motion detectors, recycling initiatives, and support of TVA's Green Power Switch program.

 2007 - 2008 

East Tennessee State University

Students at ETSU voted on April 8-9 to increase their tuition by $5/ semester to support energy efficiency projects, solar/ wind installations, and other sustainability initiatives. The fee will generate over $50,000 for sustainability projects, and will go to the TN Board of Regents for final passage into campus tuition. The student group ICE (Initiative for Clean Energy) has worked hard on this project!!!