Coal has a negligible impact on the state budget. Recent studies suggest that the impact coal does have on the state budget is likely a negative one, costing the taxpayers millions of dollars every year. Tennesseans don’t want to continue to waste our taxpayer dollars to subsidize an industry that is destroying our greatest economic assets. The same coal industry is responsible for the loss of nearly 80% of our traditional coal mining jobs, due in large part to increased reliance on surface mining techniques.
Energy groups such as the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy are noticing the Tennessee Valley Authority and Tennessee as emerging leaders in the southeast on energy issues, noting:
TVA’s goal, approved by the Board in May 2008, is to reduce peak demand 4% by 2012. As part of the ramp-up process, TVA released a suite of pilot energy efficiency programs, including in-home energy auditing programs and prescriptive incentive programs for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technologies.
TVA reports that in Tennessee they spent $18.5 million on energy efficiency in 2009, saving 120,769 MWh. TVA reports their Tennessee budget for electric efficiency increased to $48.9 million for 2010.
Recent reports from the Appalachian Regional Commission describe how tens of thousands of jobs can and will be created right here in mountain communities through strong investment in energy efficiency.
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