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Environmental Stewardship

We are committed to clean air and a clean water supply for our region, as well as protecting its historical, cultural and environmental resources. We take great care of our 293,000 acres of public land and 11,000 miles of shoreline on behalf of the people of the Tennessee Valley.

Air Quality

In tandem with our mission to provide safe and reliable power across the Tennessee Valley, we work hard to improve air quality. Read about our aggressive emission controls, state-of-the-art technology and ongoing research in this area.

Air Quality
Boating
Water Quality

As an environmental steward of the Tennessee Valley, TVA works with federal and state partners to maintain a clean and safe water supply. That means we monitor river systems, certify clean marinas and do much more to support aquatic health.

Water Quality
Trails Day
Land Management

From protecting cultural resources to ensuring environmental integrity, we always carefully measure the effects of our activities when making improvements to TVA public lands, offering lands for public recreational use or using land for economic development.

Land Management
Bear Creek
Environmental Reviews

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies like TVA to consider the impacts of actions on human health before making decisions. TVA ensures that it is doing all it can to protect, restore and enhance the human environment in the Tennessee Valley.

Environmental Reviews

Opportunities to Participate

TVA’s Natural Resources program has two opportunities for non-profits, institutes of education and local governments within the TVA Service Area to receive up to $5,000 to enhance or grow their environmental programming.

 

Community Outreach Support

The Community Outreach & Support program provides assistance to organizations for environmental education events and activities. Funds have been used for supplies, equipment, publicity and/or hospitality. 

Reservoir & Community Cleanups

The Reservoir and Community Cleanup program provides assistance to organizations for litter prevention programs, recycling and cleanups.  Funds usually go toward expenses related to publicity, hospitality, cleanup supplies and disposal costs.

Below are the general guidelines. If you have a specific question, please contact Melinda Watson at mawatson@tva.gov or Suzanne Fisher at lsfisher@tva.gov

Program Guidelines:

  • Organizations must be recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit or public institution (e.g. public schools) and have a current Employee Identification Number registered with the IRS. This does not include support for federal, state and local governments.
  • Complete and submit the appropriate Request Form, program description and budget; requests are accepted in October and March.
  • Contributions received from TVA have to be spent in the federal fiscal year (October 1 to September 30) they are received.
  • If approved, you will need to sign a letter of partnership that states you will spend the funds according to your submitted request.
  • Operational expenses, such as salaries, rent and utilities are eligible but cannot exceed 50% of requested funds. Fees for speakers, photographers or others are considered as labor and are therefore part of salaries.
  • Report your results within 8 days after each event or project using the provided Report Forms.
  • It is important that you retain your receipts according to IRS guidelines for nonprofits.
  • Limit request to $5,000 or less.
Organizations can apply for funding from both funding programs in the same fiscal year but will only be awarded funding from one.