GOVERNOR’S ENERGY TASK FORCE MEETS FRIDAY IN MEMPHIS

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

August 14, 2008

MEMPHIS — Governor Phil Bredesen on Friday (8/15) will convene the fourth meeting of the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy as part of the ongoing effort to develop a new state energy plan. The 17-member panel includes key state officials as well as representatives of business, environmental and other interests.  The task force is charged with making recommendations to help Tennessee become a leader in energy efficiency and conservation, development of clean-energy technology, and use of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources.

  The media and public are invited to attend Friday’s meeting, which will be held at the headquarters of Memphis, Light, Gas and Water (MLGW). At the meeting, MLGW representatives will profile residential initiatives including EcoBUILD, a voluntary green-building program to promote use of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies. Additionally, the Governor and task force members will continue conversations on how the state might promote increased residential energy efficiency.

  Separately, University of Memphis economist Douglas Campbell will give an overview of economic growth in the clean-energy technology sector, and representatives of solar-panel manufacturer Sharp USA will talk about how Tennessee can be a leader in producing more clean-energy tech jobs. Following the meeting, task force members will tour Uptown Memphis, a resurgent 100-block development in downtown Memphis highlighting residential energy-efficiency and sustainable building design.

  Live streaming video of the meeting will be available at http://www.tn.gov/energy.

.   WHAT: Governor’s Energy Task Force Meeting — Memphis   WHO:  Governor Phil Bredesen, Task Force Members, MLGW, Sharp USA, and others              WHEN: 9 a.m. CDT, Friday, August 15      Note:  Meeting is expected to last approximately three hours, with a break in the middle to allow for media availability with the Governor.

  WHERE: MLGW Headquarters - 220 South Main Street - Memphis, TN