Cole Elementary School is a leading example of how Nashville schools are saving thousands on energy costs through NES’s partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). As part of the TVA School Uplift program, the school has reduced its energy consumption by 8%, saving an impressive $22,000 annually. Over five years, this amounts to more than $100,000 in savings with no capital investment.
Since 2021, 26 local Nashville schools have participated in the initiative, which teaches students valuable lessons in sustainability and redirects savings back into educational resources. At Cole Elementary, students are empowered to become energy conservation leaders, filling the halls with reminders to turn off lights and close doors. The students voted to use their grant money to add sunshades and bleachers near the playground, demonstrating how the energy savings directly benefit their school experience.
NES also promotes the Home Uplift Program, which provides energy-efficient upgrades to limited-income homeowners. Both the School and Home Uplift programs highlight NES and TVA’s commitment to creating more sustainable communities.
To date, the TVA School Uplift program has invested approximately $8 million to help 430 schools save energy across the state. The program is currently recruiting participants for the 2026-27 school year, with goals to help 130 additional schools reduce energy costs.
Learn more about uplift programs and other energy assistance tools here.
Tags: