Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Mandatory Fees
Jason Carney is the Clean Energy Program Manager at SACE. He addressed the mandatory fees proposed on electricity by TVA and described the efforts to implement solar power in Tennessee. Tennessee was a leader in solar energy development a few short years ago and is now nearly last in the South. Jason is leading efforts at Whites Creek High School and their Academy of Alternative Energy, Sustainability and Logistics in a program getting students interested and involved in building a solar farm. Read about the program at WCHS. Jason believes the best hope for renewable energy is to get young people excited about it.
The SACE, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, encourages the switch to renewable energy. Over the past seven years, local power companies (e.g. Nashville Electric Service, Middle TN Electric Coop), who are all required to buy 100% of their power from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), raised mandatory fees an average of 50% in response to changes in how TVA bills them. Since 2011, about three-quarters of these companies approved increases of at least 20%. In 2018 this will result in a $300 million increase in revenue from mandatory fees. However, utilities have no option to purchase cheaper renewable energy and must pass on the fees to customers. Jason will discuss the fees and alternatives.
Jason Carney is a native of Nashville with a passion for energy and sustainability that goes back to elementary school. After graduating from Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, his passion was rekindled when introduced to the US Green Building Council’s LEED credential while working for a major HVAC manufacturer. Since then, he has diligently worked to educate others on the economic, environmental and social importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency; including as an Energy Consultant for the TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs. He recently completed his Master’s in Civic Leadership with a thesis on bringing the green economy to African-Americans through solar energy. Jason is excited to join the team at SACE as the Clean Energy Program Manager and help shape efforts to promote clean energy.